The South Africa Springboks have assembled in Johannesburg for a crucial camp ahead of their departure to Australia, marking the start of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign.
This year’s squad is abuzz with excitement, particularly for Springbok lock Ruan Nortje, who has been called back to the national team for the first time since his Test debut against Wales in 2022.
This camp not only signifies a reunion for the players but also an opportunity to align with the coaching strategies led by Rassie Erasmus.
Nortje expressed his excitement upon rejoining the national squad for the first time. Nortje’s inclusion in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship squad, assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday for a short camp before their departure to Australia, marks a significant milestone in his rugby career.
Nortje is the only new player in this year’s Rugby Championship squad, making this his first experience working with head coach Rassie Erasmus and his team, including Tony Brown (backline coach) and Jerry Flannery (defense coach).
“It has always been a dream to play for the Springboks, and after getting the chance to make my debut in 2022, I’ve been working hard to try to make my way back into the squad,” said Nortje. “I played with quite a few of the guys in 2022, and being able to play and train with them again is an absolute honor and privilege.”
Nortje acknowledged the changes in the team’s systems since his last participation, expressing enthusiasm for learning new aspects introduced by the coaching staff.
“Obviously, the systems have changed quite a lot since the last time I was part of the team, but that excites me even more because I love learning new things, and I’ve been enjoying the new aspects of the game the coaches have introduced to the set-up.”
Despite the adjustments, Nortje is confident in his ability to adapt, thanks to the support from both coaches and players.
“It will take time to familiarize myself with the new way of doing things, but the coaches and players have been very helpful and have taken me under their wing, so I’m certain it will be an easy transition back into the squad. Although it is only day one, I am excited about this adventure and getting another chance in the Bok squad.”
Erasmus emphasized the importance of the Johannesburg camp in getting the players back into the rhythm of international rugby after a well-deserved 10-day break following the Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
“The vibe in the camp is fantastic, and one can sense the enthusiasm among the players, so the break was beneficial for both the players and coaches,” said Erasmus.
The focus during the camp is on reacclimatizing and preparing for the challenges of the Rugby Championship.
“We worked out our program in such a way that we could fit in a few gym and training sessions on Monday and Tuesday before we travel on Wednesday, and our intention is to acclimatize as quickly as possible down under to ensure that we are as prepared as possible by the time we slot back into full Test-match mode next week before our opening game of the competition in Brisbane next week Saturday,” Erasmus explained.
The Springboks have a demanding schedule ahead, starting with matches against Australia in Brisbane and Perth on 10 and 17 August, respectively. They will then return to South Africa for back-to-back encounters with New Zealand on 31 August in Johannesburg and 7 September in Cape Town.
Following these fixtures, the team will travel to Argentina to face Los Pumas in Santiago on 21 September, before concluding the tournament in Nelspruit against Argentina on 28 September.
The Johannesburg camp represents a crucial period for the Springboks as they aim to build momentum and cohesion ahead of a challenging Rugby Championship campaign.
With Ruan Nortje’s return adding a fresh dynamic to the team, and Rassie Erasmus’ strategic leadership, the Springboks are poised to tackle the southern hemisphere spectacle with renewed vigor and determination.
