Kolisi: Bok camp was amazing
SPRINGBOK captain Siya Kolisi has expressed his excitement about being part of the national set-up again following the conclusion of the first alignment camp in Durban yesterday.
While Bok coach Jacques Nienaber was at pains to explain earlier in the week that the players at the camp had not been selected for the three-Test series against Wales in July, there is always a lot of enthusiasm and expectation for those in attendance and fans trying to work out who is in the mix.
Nienaber felt that it was not necessary to divulge the names of the 22 players who had been invited to the three-day workshop in Durban – although he did reveal that Japan-based duo, Elton Jantjies and Malcolm Marx, were also part of the camp as they were recovering from injuries in Cape Town – as he insisted that the group was not a playing squad as such, but rather a chance for him and the rest of the Bok management to chat to certain players about the plans for 2022.
Jake White also stated last week that four Bulls players were invited: Elrigh Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortje and Johan Goosen.
Star Stormers No 8 Evan Roos was not called up. “Howzit guys, Siya Kolisi here. We’ve just wrapped up camp, here in Durban. Our first alignment camp: it was really amazing,” the Bok skipper said in a short video on the Springbok Twitter account yesterday.
“Great to check where we are as a team and where we’re going. And we are super excited for the internationals coming up soon, and all the boys have been working hard in their clubs to make sure that we get an opportunity to make the team.
“So, we can’t wait to get the international season started, and we can’t wait to see you guys at the stadiums. Have a great day, cheers.”
The Boks start their Test season against Wales at Loftus Versfeld on July 2, followed by two further games in Bloemfontein and Cape Town, before the Rugby Championship in August and September. Then they will finish the year with a tour of Europe.
The world champions will have further alignment camps with players based in England and France, as well as virtual meetings, between April 16 and 25, and the final one in Cape Town from May 1-5.
SA Rugby said yesterday that the Durban camp saw the players looking at scrums, mauls, aerial skills and conditioning.
“We are pleased with the outcomes achieved at our first alignment camp and I believe the players have a good idea of what is expected of them on and off the field, as we look forward to a challenging international season,” Nienaber said in a statement.
“The key for us was to inform the players of what the calendar will look like for the year and to paint the pictures we wanted to, so that we can ensure everyone is on the same page.”