World Cup Springbok stars fullback Le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden trained this week and are in contention to face Irish side Connacht on Saturday at 17:00.
Centre Stedman Gans said on Wednesday that: “We are very happy to have them back. They bring heaps of experience and excitement. I think a few of them could be involved this weekend as well. It just builds the confidence of the team to have that calibre of players back with us.”
“Willie has been running the fastest at training this week. The guys coming back from the tour are still feeling a bit of the flight home. Willie has been here in SA, so he’s fresh and he’s been outpacing us.”
Gans admitted that the return of the Boks is a double-edged sword, however, he said he made one of his better starts a the season.
“Since the beginning of the season, with the squad we have, it’s been a very difficult squad to make the team for the weekend,” Gans said. “You have to be at your best every single day. With the Springboks coming back, it has gone up another level. They are definitely lifting the squad and everyone is training on a different level, because you want to be part of it, but know you have to be at your absolute best."
“My focus has always been on my performance, so I don’t necessarily look at who is in the squad and competing for the same position. I just see it as when I get the opportunity in a game or training to do my best if it’s good enough, then coaches will tell you and select you. If it’s not, they will tell you what to work on," Gans said.