Preparing an elite rugby team requires a multi-faceted approach, with player load management, nutrition, medical care, fitness and conditioning all integral parts, alongside training and recovery.
Thulani Nteta is the Junior Springboks' strength and conditioning coach, and his task is to implement a strategy that will not only see the team reach peak fitness for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy but also maintain that level of fitness and conditioning throughout the demanding four-week-long tournament.
Apart from the challenging tournament format – only four of the 12 teams will qualify for the semi-finals and a shot at tournament glory – the participating teams also have to contend with the unusually high summer conditions gripping Italy and the rest of Europe at the moment.
South Africa, and its southern hemisphere counterparts Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, left winter weather behind when they travelled to sun-soaked Italy for the annual U20 global showpiece.
Last Sunday, the Junior Springboks got their Championship campaign off to a good start when they outplayed Australia in their opening Pool A match in Calvisano, with their physicality, fitness and conditioning all contributing towards their winning performance.
Nteta, who is part of the team's medical and conditioning staff, and his fellow colleagues work hard daily to ensure the young South Africans maintain their fitness, conditioning and well-being.
According to Nteta, the tournament format plays a big role in their recovery and preparation strategies.
“We have to keep in mind that the competition is played over a five-day turnaround and not your standard six or seven days between matches,” said Nteta.
“With that in mind, recovery becomes a crucial aspect of conditioning, to make sure we are giving the players optimum time to perform come match day.”
Nteta added that modern-day technology is also used to great effect: “Monitoring devices such as the Kitman App and GPS tracking systems allow for faster and better intervention where needed. It also helps us to make informed and calculated decisions around player-wellness and loads.”
By using the mobile application, players can directly input information about their training load, well-being, sleep and recovery.
“We are then able to take the information to the coaches, which helps support planning for their training sessions,” said Nteta, adding that there is also an educational and developmental side to their work.
“That is to make sure the players understand the ‘why’ behind all the strategies and protocols we ask of them.”
The Junior Boks face defending champions England on Friday at 18:00 (SA Time) in Rovigo in a much-anticipated second Pool A match.