Local runner collects her 8th Comrades medal
MAN WITH THE PLAN: Bok coach Rassie Erasmus (left) chats to PieterSteph du Toit ahead of the second Test in Bloemfontein this weekend. THE SPRINGBOKS are ready to turn up the intensity when they meet England in the second of three Tests here on Saturday.
In a high-scoring, fast-paced game in Joburg last weekend, the Boks fought back from being 3-24 down midway through the first half to win 42-39 to go one-nil up in the series. The high-octane affair saw the Boks and England score five tries each.
A similar full-bodied Test is in store for this Saturday, with home team coach Rassie Erasmus saying this week the match could equal what was produced in Joburg – and then some.
“It was an intense game ... fast, high speed,” he said in reflecting on his second match in charge of the Boks. “There were a lot of linebreaks, there was a lot of running, and I think it’s going to be even more intense this weekend.
“Both teams are desperate. We want to bury the series here LOCAL female ultra distance runner Mase Mogorosi, who this week returned from participating in her eighth Comrades marathon, says she can’t wait to lay her hands on a green blazer.
Mogorosi is among a group of runners from the Galeshewe Athletics Club who went to this prestigious race with minimal sponsorship.
She acknowledged and thanked the provincial department of Transport, where she is employed, for picking up her accomodation tab for the duration of her stay for the race in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mogorosi took her eighth bronze medal over the weekend for placing number 7128 from a 24 000-strong field of local and international athletes.
A gushing Mogorosi yesterday said she was relaxing at home and was feeling no physical after effects from the race despite challenges she faced during the course. “I fell once at the 57 km and they obviously want to keep it alive,” said the former flanker. “And for the second week running the game is being played at altitude which means more pace, more space to play in and greater intensity.” The third Test is in Cape Town next week, a venue that may favour England, who have now lost four Tests in a row.
In what are likely to again be good weather conditions on Saturday – with daytime temperatures in the high teens and lows just below freezing – the anticipated sold-out crowd could be in for a crackerjack affair.
Erasmus has made it clear he and his coaching team want to continue trying new things and with attack coach Swys de Bruin favouring a ball-in-hand type of rugby, the Boks are sure to look to play another fast, expansive game, to take England to the limit.
Coming into the Bok selection mix this week are Frans Malherbe, who will take over from the fatigued Wilco Louw at tighthead prop, and Pieter-Steph du mark, but stood up and continued. At around the 70km I got a severe stomach disorder. It was a challenge,” she said.
Mogorosi said she started out of the blocks at a very fast pace. “This was not a wise thing to do as the race terrain was mostly up with a few down runs. On the down runs I was especially fast as it pushes you.”
She said the inclines and declines of the route were punishing as an athlete from the Northern Cape she cannot prepare properly for them because the home province has flat terrain.
“But the first part of my race went well. The second part I found more challenging.”
Mogorosi also spoke about the dangers faced by especially female athletes when preparing for races such as the Comrades. “You sometimes hit the road at 4am in the Toit, who’ll come in at blindside flank for Jean-Luc du Preez.
Du Toit especially will add a new dimension to the Bok pack. He has shown in recent months he is comfortable on the side of the scrum, having fulfilled the No 7 duties for the Stormers and his high work-rate will suit a fast, expansive game.
He may be a lock at heart, but he’s quick around the field, has good hands and puts in plenty of tackles – certainly a player who’s good enough to be starting in the Bok pack. Of course, he’s a lineout option, too.
Erasmus said before the series started – when Du Toit was named captain of the side that travelled to Washington to face Wales – that the Stormers man would definitely be considered as a flank option going forward and it seems his time has come.
Whether Du Preez drops to the bench in a straight swap with Du Toit will be revealed today, as will whether Schalk Brits, brought into the squad on Sunday, will make the cut this morning.
“Without an escort this can be dangerous as a woman alone. I rarely did this by myself but sometimes I have to.”
She was fortunate during her Comrades preparations as her daughter Nthabiseng often accompanied her on the runs.
They last did a 70-plus run from Kimberley to Warrenton with Nthabiseng escorting her in the family car. “I did this to test my endurance although the terrain is very flat.” Mogorosi said she lost out on accumulating her eighth bronze medal as she missed the cut-off for the 2016 run. Were it not for that mishap she would have being a step away from getting a green blazer from the race organisers for participating in her tenth marathon.
She promised to be back for the next race. week or not. The 37-year-old who retired from club duty recently has only had limited time with his teammates but is considered a real playing option by Erasmus, and forwards coach Matt Proudfoot.
“It’s so nice having Schalk in the team,” said Proudfoot. “He brings a new dynamic to the squad, and he’s able to pass on so much knowledge … to the young props as well. He’s been there, in the middle of it all, and the guys can draw from his experiences.”
Erasmus is expected to make just the two changes to the starting team when he announces his line-up today, but there could well be more on the bench, with the coach wanting to see as many of his players in action before the series wraps up next weekend.
Willie le Roux, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, S’bu Nkosi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Beast Mtawarira