INTERNATIONAL SEASON: Every minute with the players crucial to ensure that we peak at the right time during the World Cup

By Sports Reporter

The Springboks made the big switch to Test mode on Wednesday, as they returned to the training field in Durban at the first of two preparation camps to kick into gear for the international season.

This camp, which includes 15 players, concludes today (Friday) while the second preparation camp – which will feature players from the Stormers, who are preparing to face Munster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Cape Town next weekend – will run from Monday, May 29 to Wednesday, May 31.

The group of players – which includes centre Lukhanyo Am, wing Makazole Mapimpi, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, utility forward Albertus Smith and fullback Willie le Roux – assembled in Durban on Tuesday and got straight into the swing of things on Wednesday with field training sessions, gym, and team meetings.

They had a further two field training sessions on Thursday and one on Friday before returning home. “It was fantastic to see how excited the players and members of team management were to return to the national set-up when we arrived in Durban,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

“This is a massive season for us and judging by the players’ enthusiasm to get back to the training field, we are excited about the journey ahead as we prepare for the Rugby Championship, our World Cup warm-up matches and the international showpiece in France.

“With these players having completed their franchise and club commitments, they can now turn their attention fully to the international season.”

Nienaber added: “We have a small group of players at this camp, but this affords us the luxury of giving them special attention.

As we said at our first training camp in February, every minute with the players is crucial for us to get our structures and systems in place to ensure that we peak at the right time during the World Cup.

“We’ll have a bigger group of players at the next camp and at our Rugby Championship training camp in June, but this week will assist us greatly in putting the groundwork in place.

“Having a few injured players here such as Siyamthanda [Kolisi] and Eben [Etzebeth] is also a bonus, as they’ll participate in all our team meetings, while our medical team have already started working with them.”

Meanwhile a full-house awaits the Boks when the meet Australia at Loftus Versfeld on July 8.

“To see the ‘sold out’ signs go up two months before the Test, is very exciting for SA Rugby and the Springboks, and we are grateful to see the support for the team as we start our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer.

“Our slogan for the last few years has been #StrongerTogether, and this excitement ahead of the international season certainly sets the tone for the rest of the year.”

HUMILITY DOES IT FOR MAN CITY

FITTING REWARD: Coach Pep Guardiola all praise for his charges’ mental attitude

By Sports Reporter

Pep Guardiola says the humility of his players makes reaching the Champions League final a fitting reward. City will face Inter Milan in the final on 10 June, but before that will look to secure the Premier League title against Chelsea on Sunday and then focus on the FA Cup final against Manchester United.

“I always put up the example of winning four times the Carabao Cup and that shows the level,” said Guardiola. “One of the incredible details of which I am so proud is that they are so humble.

“Every game, it doesn’t matter the opponent or competition, they take seriously and that is because they are so humble. “I hate arrogance in sport and the moments when you believe something you are not.

“These guys have done it for many years and today they got the reward they deserve.

“We have time. A final against an Italian team and people are going to talk and say they are not favourites, we are favourites, and that is the worst thing that can happen.

“But we have time to prepare and now we focus on Chelsea because we have to try to close it.” Indeed its going to be back-to-back matches of high priority for City with the Chelsea match Sunday most likely the 2022/23 EPL decider.

Watching Chelsea’s draw with Nottingham Forest the past weekend, there was a charming novelty to Lewis Hall and Trevoh Chalobah’s revelatory performances, their coquettish crosses and bullish runs very impressive – aspects of the game City will have to deal with in their quest to wrap up the season as champions.

The Man City jaggernaut is in town and woe betide the Blues.

Published on the 99th Edition

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