SA ‘A’ promise Bok structure with individual flair
THE South African ‘A’ side is a very unique beast, with it’s own special challenges and luxuries. There are games to be won, but there is a much bigger picture being painted; these are the players who are essentially on call for the Springboks, should they be needed.
It means that there is a lot of overlap that is essential between the two sides, as if the call comes, it will be at short notice, and the hope is that player making the jump up will be able to fit in seamlessly.
However, these are also the players that have shown potential over the year thus far, and are being rewarded, while still being watched. On the player’s side, they too are trying to catch the national coach’s eye with some special individual showings.
Getting that balance right is the job of one of South Afri- ca’s hottest coaching prospects, Lions boss, Johan Ackermann. He has admitted that the SA ‘A’ mandate is indeed to have the so-called backup squad ready to go at the drop of the hat, but he is also looking to pick up some wins, as well as to entertain.
“We are using the same calls, the same kind of patterns, as the Boks to make the transition easier for the players to go up, if they are drafted,” Ackermann explained, standing below the arch of the Moses Mabhida Stadium where the first rugby match will be staged on Friday.
“They will have limited time to adjust, so it is no use doing different stuff. But we also want to have our own footprint, and our own style as well that we will mix in between.”
There are a host of exciting, form players included in the SA ‘A’ squad, with a lot of them never having experienced the pressures of Test rugby, or even being in a mixed team environment for that matter.
Coach Ackermann explained how a guy like Makazole Mampimpi, from the Kings, is getting great expos- ure and lessons by playing alongside some of the country’s best, players he is used to facing in Super Rugby. The coach stressed however that he wants these exciting players to keep showing what they have got.
“We want to see these guys flourish on Friday night, that is my philosophy, to give the guys a lot of freedom – in structure – but with that freedom to play.” Ackermann said in a familiar tone to how he would talk about his Lions side.
“It is not to say that the victory won’t mean a lot to us, but we want to enjoy these weeks together and put the skills on show a bit more without having the pressure of Test rugby. We are going to give the guys a lot of opportunity to play what they see and let them enjoy themselves.”
The Moses Mabhida stadium has welcomed international soccer sides, it has seen local teams grace its pitches too. The field has even hosted the Proteas in a T20 match against India, and next Friday, the first ever rugby match will be staged in the landmark Durban icon.