By GEORGE BYRON
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says he will keep a close watch on how players perform in the final rounds of Super Rugby and has promised to reward form.
Super Rugby resumes this weekend with a full round of fixtures after the international window and Coetzee and his coaching team will be watching with interest.
“The players have to continue after the Tests and now they are off to their Super Rugby franchises. They have to continue playing well and I will reward form,” said Coetzee.
“We will now have a good wash-up and see where we can polish and get better in certain areas where we can massively improve on.”
The Boks kick off their bid for honours in the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20. They also have matches against New Zealand and Australia.
“In some of our aerial skills we can get better and defensively we put on a solid show in the final Test in Port Elizabeth. In contact skills there are areas where we can also improve. It was a better performance generally from us,” said Coetzee.
“It is also the execution of certain kicks that did not go where we wanted them to go. But there is growth. The more we play together the more we will get better.”
Coetzee said he had been impressed by the Bok squad’s attitude and never-say-die spirit.
“Regarding the resilience, fight, character and attitude I am really pleased. If there is anywhere I would like to start as a coach and see what a team should have then those are the ingredients.”
Bok skipper Adriaan Strauss, who will be in action for the Bulls against the Jaguares in Argentina this weekend, feels his team has progressed since the opening Test defeat at Newlands. “We have progressed, but there is still a lot of work to do.
“Technically and tactically we can be better, but it was good to come out of the Irish series with a win.
“I am proud of the step up we made in Port Elizabeth and each week has got better.”
Lions captain Warren Whitely will lead his team in what promises to be a fascinating Super Rugby clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
With Super Rugby reaching a climax, teams will be jostling for berths in the playoff stages.
The Southern Kings, who are out of contention to reach the final stages, will resume their season with a home match against the Highlanders in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
After a two-year break from Super Rugby the Kings have found the going tough and have managed only two wins in 12 matches.
The weekend fixtures are:
Friday: Chiefs v Crusaders, Brumbies v Reds.
Saturday: Sunwolves v Waratahs, Hurricanes v Blues, Rebels v Stormers, Cheetahs v Force, Lions v Sharks, Kings v Highlanders, Jaguares v Bulls.
Bok coach lauds his team’s resilience and spirit
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says he will keep a close watch on how players perform in the final rounds of Super Rugby and has promised to reward form.
Super Rugby resumes this weekend with a full round of fixtures after the international window and Coetzee and his coaching team will be watching with interest.
“The players have to continue after the Tests and now they are off to their Super Rugby franchises. They have to continue playing well and I will reward form,” said Coetzee.
“We will now have a good wash-up and see where we can polish and get better in certain areas where we can massively improve on.”
The Boks kick off their bid for honours in the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20. They also have matches against New Zealand and Australia.
“In some of our aerial skills we can get better and defensively we put on a solid show in the final Test in Port Elizabeth. In contact skills there are areas where we can also improve. It was a better performance generally from us,” said Coetzee.
“It is also the execution of certain kicks that did not go where we wanted them to go. But there is growth. The more we play together the more we will get better.”
Coetzee said he had been impressed by the Bok squad’s attitude and never-say-die spirit.
“Regarding the resilience, fight, character and attitude I am really pleased. If there is anywhere I would like to start as a coach and see what a team should have then those are the ingredients.”
Bok skipper Adriaan Strauss, who will be in action for the Bulls against the Jaguares in Argentina this weekend, feels his team has progressed since the opening Test defeat at Newlands. “We have progressed, but there is still a lot of work to do.
“Technically and tactically we can be better, but it was good to come out of the Irish series with a win.
“I am proud of the step up we made in Port Elizabeth and each week has got better.”
Lions captain Warren Whitely will lead his team in what promises to be a fascinating Super Rugby clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
With Super Rugby reaching a climax, teams will be jostling for berths in the playoff stages.
The Southern Kings, who are out of contention to reach the final stages, will resume their season with a home match against the Highlanders in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
After a two-year break from Super Rugby the Kings have found the going tough and have managed only two wins in 12 matches.
The weekend fixtures are:
Friday: Chiefs v Crusaders, Brumbies v Reds.
Saturday: Sunwolves v Waratahs, Hurricanes v Blues, Rebels v Stormers, Cheetahs v Force, Lions v Sharks, Kings v Highlanders, Jaguares v Bulls.
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