Niggle for Velleman as Elephants prepare for big match
Star loose forward’s ‘niggle’ unlikely to keep him from Bulls game
There has been a massive injury scare for the EP Elephants just 10 days before their opening rugby game against the Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria.
Star loose forward CJ Velleman sat out training at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday as the team made final preparations for their Preparation Series debut.
EP coach Peter de Villiers, however, is confident Velleman will be fit to face the Bulls and described the injury as only a niggle.
Velleman is considered a certainty to make the EP starting line-up on February 27.
On Tuesday, Velleman watched an EP training session from the sidelines and chatted to De Villiers as the players were put through their paces.
The loose forward, who endured knee problems during his time at the Southern Kings, did not to appear to be in pain as he moved around.
Officials said Velleman had a session at the physio on Tuesday afternoon and the team were scheduled to have a rest day on Wednesday.
A big emphasis was placed on lineout drills at the Tuesday workout.
“We have a few niggles at this stage and CJ Velleman is not the only one,” De Villiers said.
“In the backs we also had Inny Radebe out and one of our wingers.
“So we have those little niggles
“I don that’ t every think rugby it is something team has. to worry about.”
Asked if Velleman could still feature at Loftus, De Villiers said: “We hope so.”
EP’S coach said his team were Covid-19 free as they neared their tough debut.
“We are blessed because we tested the guys on Friday and everyone was negative,” he said. “So we do have a clean, fit team out there, which helps us to do what we want to do in training.
“No coach ever has enough time to prepare, and I am not different to any of the others.
“What we have done is good enough to lay the foundation.”
De Villiers said an out-oftown training camp last week had helped his team to bond.
“The camp did serve its purpose,” he said. “We wanted to work on a few things that the guys do need away from the rugby environment.
“I think we have achieved that goal. You can only take in so much and there is the fine line of exhausting players and getting them interested in what you are doing.
“That aspect will always be there as they see each other every minute of the day and live together. We did a lot of talking at the camp.”
In an interview in February, Velleman said getting consistent game time for EP was a priority.
After the Kings were liquidated, Velleman went on a short-term loan to Griquas in Kimberly when he was left unemployed.
“I had a stint at Griquas, but it did not go the way I planned,” Velleman said.
“I did not get as much game time as I would have liked.
“But being involved in the Griquas training and doing a lot of contact was a big positive for me.
“Now I need to get consistent game time for a while. That is what I need and that is my main short-term goal.
“I am really looking forward to playing for EP.
“Our coach Peter de Villiers has got the best game plan a team like us can put up.
“We have started a bit later than other teams, but the guys are training hard.
“Now that we are getting closer to competition, it is getting more real.”