Meyer pleased with Bok camp

Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer, said the first national training camp of 2013, held in Cape Town from Sunday to Tuesday this week, was a huge success. This despite a number of leading players sitting out training because of injuries.

A Springbok training squad convened in Cape Town on Sunday, a day after some of the country’s top players faced one another in two physical Vodacom SupeRugby derbies.

“It was great to see the players again and the enthusiasm they have for playing for their country,” said Meyer.

“Even though this was only a first opportunity to get together this year and start our work ahead of the international season, with no selection guarantees, the players’ excitement was palpable. We’ve already done much more work than at this time last year. We’ve looked and analysed a lot of rugby matches during the last few months and have identified a number of areas where we aim to improve this year, with the breakdown top of our list. There are 120 to 160 breakdowns in every match and it’s my opinion that we can improve a lot in this very crucial area of the game," Meyer added.

“I don’t agree with the assertion that our Tests in June will be easy. Italy and Scotland finished higher in the Six Nations than Ireland and France and will arrive here very confident. Samoa gave the Springboks a real scare at the last Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and have improved a lot over the last number of years,” Meyer said.

Meyer also felt that the high number of injuries was a worry, with a number of players taking little or no part in the training sessions.

“These and other injuries are obviously concerning, but all the players underwent medical examinations and should be fit by the time we start the Castle Lager Incoming Series in June,” said Meyer.

The next training camp is planned for Durban at the end of next month and the Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series, involving Italy, Scotland and Samoa, will be named early in June.

The Boks will play their first Test of 2013 in Durban on 8 June.

They will be up against Italy at Kings Park.

(File Photo:Carl Fourie:Gallo Images)

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