Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Improving the players’ skills has helped improve the vibe within the team
IT’S puzzling, to say the least, that a team like Brackenfell doesn’t have a single player in the Western Province Emerging Squad.
But that’s how the Super League A newcomers have rolled this year.
Not expected to make a splash after winning promotion from Super League B at the end of last season, coach Johann Kotze’s team have really stamped their authority on the top flight in 2016.
Perhaps being underestimated aided their cause as Brakkies are comfortably running with the big dogs – evident by their sixth place on the log ahead of today’s trip to Stellenbosch where they will cross swords with Victorians.
Their story actually began three seasons ago when Kotze and his coaching staff embarked on a skills development programme that would see them enhance the skills of the players within the region, instead of trying to “buy success”.
“I am actually disappointed that we don’t have any players in the Emerging team. Contrary to popular belief, we’ve got some really good individual players. We started with a skills development programme three years ago – we don’t have the finances to buy players, and that’s why we went on a skills development drive to develop our own players.
“I suppose we are the new kids on the block and I don’t think the guys looked at us critically enough at the start of the season – they expected us to be also-runs. But over the years, the players at the club developed into great players,” said Kotze.
Their approach worked a treat. An example of one of the players that came through the ranks is lock Niel Lucas, described by his coach as a loyal, Bakkies Botha- type player.
Lucas, 24, has been with the club during the days when they battled in Super League B and is thoroughly enjoying his first year in the top-flight.
“It’s really nice knowing you were here from the start. In 2013 we battled to stay in Super League B, then the next year we finished sixth and last year we won promotion. I was used to playing in Super League B and yes, it is an adjustment to get used to the pace of SLA,” said Lucas.
But the Brackenfell boys found their feet quickly and with Lucas in the engine room, they are revving it up in the top-flight.
With skills development being the main thing at the club, the vibe at Brackenfell club could also not be better.
“Everything starts at the club. The vibe has to be right and we have a good culture. All of the players are from surrounding areas and it took a while to get the club to where we are today,” added Lucas.