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Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber stressed the importance of using their time on the training field constructively from a conditioning and game perspective this week, with the Test matches against Georgia and the Castle Lager Lions Series fast approaching.
The Springboks returned to the training field on Monday after a well-deserved rest over the weekend and Nienaber said it was vital that they used the time wisely as they prepare to transition into Test match mode next week.
The Springboks will return to the field on Friday 2 July for the first time since winning the Rugby World Cup final in 2019, when they face Georga in the first of two Tests at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
This will trigger a string of internationals featuring another Test against Georgia on Friday 9 July at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, a match-up between the South Africa ‘A’ team and the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday 17 July, and three Tests against the UK tourists on Saturday 24 and 31 July, and 7 August respectively.
“Our goal in camp is to familiarise everyone with the way the team plays and to keep up the intensity (at training),” said Nienaber.
“This is an important week for us because it is the last week of training without a Test match, so we can push the load and conditioning. We are also working on our language on the field.”
Nienaber added: “In our first Test it will be important to get used to international rugby again.
“We need to get used to the pace and physicality of the game, and the small margins in international rugby because it is different to club rugby.”