Bosch will play for the Boks when the time is right

THERE has been a lot of talk surrounding Curwin Bosch – a lot of Springbok talk. But the talented Junior Bok says he is in “no rush to get there”.

Bosch, who was included in Allister Coetzee’s second training camp in Stellenbosch last month, will make his way to Georgia with the Junior Boks today instead of Plettenberg Bay with the Springboks, but the skilful youngster says he will patiently wait his time.

“At this moment it is just about playing every week and growing for me. With that being said, there’s always dreams of playing for the Springboks one day. I’m in no rush, when it’s the right time I’ll get there. But for now it’s just about working hard and learning every day,” Bosch said.

The 19-year-old also added that he was solely focused on his job with the Junior Boks.

“It’s all about the Junior Springboks now, I think they deserve to get my full attention and my best. I’m not too worried about what’s going to happen after that,” Bosch, pictured, said.

“Any rugby player wants to do well, but I think if you look at the bigger picture and what you want to achieve in the long run, these are all little things in your path going to the top. For me it’s all about being a team player and contributing to the team. I need to do my best for the team in order for myself to rise.”

The Junior Boks, who spent the week improving their structures in Stellenbosch before departing to Tbilisi for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, will kick-off their campaign against France on 31 May, before taking on Georgia and Argentina on 4 and 8 June respectively.

And although the tournament will be new for a number of players in Chean Roux’s 28-man squad, it will be another chance for Bosch to show exactly why his name has been drifting all around the South African rugby landscape.

Not like he’ll have much to prove. During last year’s junior tournament, Bosch was nominated for Player of the Tournament, while he was also the second-highest points-scorer in the competition.

But it’s his Super Rugby experience that will p r o b a b l y be his best weapon going into the tournament.

Since making his Super Rugby debut with the Sharks last year, Bosch has produced massive performances for the Durbanbased side, and although he said that he was understandably nervous about making his Super Rugby bow, Bosch praised the Sharks management staff for preparing him for the opportunity.

“I was definitely nervous. It was my first game at Super Rugby level, but with that being said, credit must go to our coaches and the conditioning staff. I was prepared for everything that was thrown at me,” he said.

“I think all the experience I’ve gained is quite important. I also learnt quite a big lesson out of last year’s tournament. I think I’m more mature going into this tournament.”

Coach Roux also praised Bosch’s abilities, saying that the versatile back’s presence adds a lot to the squad.

“He brings confidence to the group. His communication is great, and that comes with confidence. It’s fantastic to have him here,” Roux said. JACQUES VAN DER

THEY play an exciting brand of rugby and the backs are often the big stars, but that doesn’t mean they don’t do the basics well. In fact, their whole game is dependent on their scrumming and line-out.

Lions boss Johan Ackermann and captain Warren Whiteley always credit the forwards first because without them, without their work up front, and laying the foundation, the likes of Elton Jantjies, Harold Vorster, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Ruan Combrinck and Courtnall Skosan can’t do their thing.

And now workhorse and scrum machine Jacques van Rooyen – who is one of the unlucky ones to miss out on Springbok and SA “A” selection – has revealed what makes the Lions such a powerful scrumming unit.

Together with tighthead Ruan Dreyer and hooker Malcolm Marx, the Lions front row has been all-powerful this season. And, let’s not forget Dreyer and Van Rooyen weren’t even first-choice players last year – the injured Julian Redelinghuys and Dylan Smith were the men Ackermann used more often in the front row.

But whether it’s these men doing the scrumming, or Corné Fourie, or Johannes Jonker or Hencus van Wyk – the three back-up men for the front row – the Lions are a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s all about the systems,” said Van Rooyen, explaining the Lions’ recipe.

“When you pack down together, when you’re nice and compact and tight that’s when you can scrum well.

“If you had to compare scrumming to a fist, a good scrum is a closed fist … a not so good scrum position is an open hand smack. There are eight guys in a scrum and they all have to pull their weight. If one guy isn’t in it the scrum falls apart.”

Van Rooyen says Ackermann and former Springbok tighthead prop Balie Swart have played a big role in perfecting the Lions’ scrumming. “They got us to where we are today … straight back and pushing with the legs … that’s how you get explosive power.”

Van Rooyen has enjoyed a very good Super Rugby campaign up to now and he makes no bones about the fact that starting regularly, as opposed to coming off the bench last year, has played a big part.

“Everyone is different, but I like playing each week. It gives me confidence and I stay match fit. And for a prop that’s crucial,” he says.

“I want to contribute as much as I can. I want to be involved, but when you’re on the bench a lot that’s difficult. I think playing often this year from the start has helped my game tremendously.”

This Sunday the Lions will be up against the Kings and Van Rooyen will face his old friend “Hond” van der Merwe in the front row battle. Van der Merwe was a regular in the Lions team until three years ago when he decided to spend a year in France. He’s now made Port Elizabeth his home.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Van Rooyen.

“He’s doing well down there and I know he and the Kings will try to make life as difficult as possible for us. They’re playing well so it should be a good game … one we must win.”

Ackermann will name his team tomorrow and it’s likely captain Whiteley will sit this one out or play from off the bench.

Also, it’ll be interesting to see if Ackermann picks flank Jaco Kriel, who has struggled with a knee injury for the last four weeks.