TO BE FITTEST SIDE
‘We have been pushing the players to the limit’
ALMOST six weeks ago, Southern Kings coach Deon Davids made it clear that if his team wanted to make an impact in Super Rugby they would have to be supremely fit.
Early last month, he spoke about the challenges that lay ahead of his team and fitness was among his top priorities
“One thing is for sure, we need to be a very, very fit side for Super Rugby,” Davids said.
“If your fundamental skills and your fitness are on par then things happen for you.
“If I look back to last year, we had good systems, but we could only play for 60 minutes because we did not have the engine to go longer.”
Kings conditioning coach Nadus Nieuwoudt said he wanted the team to be the fittest side in Super Rugby.
Nieuwoudt made the promise as the team headed off for a festive season break after completing the first phase of their intensive preseason preparation.
The Kings return in the second week of next month to continue their preparations for their opening match against the Jaguares in Port Elizabeth on February 25.
Nieuwoudt said the conditioning was broken down into three phases and that the side was in the second phase.
“Everything has been going well. The first phase consisted of a three-week block where the focus was on strength and size in the gym and running. We then had a deloading week,” he said.
“We are in the second phase. We may be going on a break, but the players will begin their holiday programme.
“The guys have to keep grinding and focus on what is important so that we can hit the ground running in January. They know that the ball is in their court.”
Unlike last season, the Kings have had a full pre-season programme.
“We are fortunate that we are not in the same position we were in last year where we did not have our pre-season the way we would have liked to.
“That has made a huge difference this year where we can work from a base where the players are conditioned well and we have ticked a lot of our boxes.”
Nieuwoudt said they had brought in a lot of new elements which included off-sight training, sprint coaching, mixed martial arts and some dune-running sessions.
“What is even greater is that we have a largely fit group with a lot of our players coming back from long-term injuries,” he said.
“In the squad we only have about three players with niggles. We, as the coaches, have planned our pre-season so well that we have not lost anyone to injury.
“Looking at where we started and where we will finish, kudos to the coaches who accepted and adopted the programme.
“Part of our goals is that we aim to be better and fitter this season. We want to be the fittest team in the competition.
“We are very happy with the progress, but no coach will ever say that they are entirely satisfied.
“There is still work to be done. The feedback from the players has also been great.
“We have had some hard and tough sessions where we pushed the players to their limits. They embraced it all and responded well,” Nieuwoudt said. The Kings squad:
Fullbacks: Johann Tromp, Chysander Botha, Ntabeni Dukisa Wings: Yaw Penxe, Siyanda Grey, Alshuan Bock, Makazole Mapimpi, Malcolm Jaer, Wandile Mjekevu Centres: Waylon Murray, Berton Klaasen, Neil Maritz, Luzuko Vulindlu Flyhalves: Pieter-Steyn de Wet, Garrick Mattheus, Lionel Cronje, Banda Coyi Scrumhalves: Ricky Schroeder, Johannes Steyn, Rudi van Rooyen Eighthmen: Ruaan Lerm, Christiaan de Bruin Flanks: Stefan Willemse, CJ Velleman, Lusanda Badiyana, Tyler Paul, Thembelani Bholi, Andisa Ntsila, Christopher Cloete, Onke Dubase Locks: Cameron Lindsay, Sintu Manjezi, Irne Herbst, Wandile Putuma, Mzwanele Zito Hookers: Martin Bezuidenhout, Michael Willemse, Tango Balekile, Kurt Haupt Props: Justin Forwood, Schalk Ferreira, Chris Heiberg, David Murray, Schalk van der Merwe, Ross Geldenhuys, Dayan van der Westhuizen
Scrumhalf James Hall was also included in the list of players released by the Kings, but there have reports that he is not planning to return to South Africa from France where he plays for Oyonnax.