Captains laud opening camp
20 Apr 2012
Cheetahs captain Adriaans Strauss and Lions leader Josh Strauss say the opening Springbok planning camp gave the players a better understanding about coach Heyneke Meyer’s plans and structures.
A group of Cheetahs and Lions players attended the first of three Bok planning camps earlier this week (16-19 April) in Pretoria. This is an initiative, requested by Meyer, to ease all the players into the national system. This also provides early preparation ahead of the June Test series against England as the Boks will only have one week to train as a squad before the first game in Durban (9 June).
Cheetahs skipper Adriaans Strauss said the camp was productive for the players.
‘It’s great to see the structures that the coach wants to put in place,’ said Strauss. ‘It is good to share the vision, and to know all the South African rugby players are sharing the same vision that the coach has.
‘I think we are leaving here with a lot of work done and we know the structures that Heyneke wants to put in place.’
Josh Strauss added that it wasn’t a tiring week, but they were very productive: ‘It was awesome. The intensity wasn’t too high. It is a bye week for the Cheetahs and the Lions, so you get time to refresh, but a lot of detail is put in as well.’
Meyer said he also had breakthrough meetings with all the players, which allowed both parties to pass on their say.
‘I had one-on-ones with every single player, going through their stats, and I think it went well,’ said Meyer. ‘It is actually surprising how much we covered in three-and-a-half days. They know exactly where they stand.
‘Sometimes you don’t understand why a player in a certain position makes an option that I sometimes think may not have been the right option. It was great speaking to them and asking what their roles are in their respective teams, and what the coaches want from them in a specific situation.’
Meyer will hold his second planning camp with a 45-man squad of Sharks and Bulls players next week (23-26 April) in Pretoria, and he’ll have his final planning camp with a selected Stormers squad in Cape Town from 1-3 May.
62 Comments
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20 Apr 2012, 10:55 am
I am a sharks supporter but must admit HM is one seriously good coach! In the past I played against teams that he coached and he always made a point of coming into the opppositions change rooms and showing respect, he would even sit down indiviually with the opposition players and congratulate or give some advice. He is going to be awesome for the boks!
20 Apr 2012, 11:01 am
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-51: he can congratulate and have “one-on-ones” with the all blacks, as long we’ve won the game i don’t care
20 Apr 2012, 11:05 am
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-50: Did i say i didn’t like HM? He’s got an incredible coaching track record. I’m just not fawning over him like most are. All I’m interested in are results.
20 Apr 2012, 11:11 am
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-51: are you meyer bosman?
20 Apr 2012, 11:11 am
WOW, just got back from a breakfast talk with Heyneke Meyer. Confirmed what I was thought, the Boks are in good hands.
Let the winning begin!!!
20 Apr 2012, 11:11 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-52:
Peter de Villiers tried to do the same- he once even tried to phone Danny Cipriani for a “one on one” but sadly got the names confused and he ended up discussing tennis with Jennifer Capriati. The man was way ahead of his time, Heineken still has a lot to learn.
20 Apr 2012, 11:12 am
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-51: Agreed. Heard him speak for the second time and man hes going to do wonders.
20 Apr 2012, 11:12 am
I hear you, I am just glad that we have someone composed and cerebral coaching the boks. A bit of respcet for all players also cannot hurt.
20 Apr 2012, 11:13 am
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-55: Sorry confirmed what I always thought
20 Apr 2012, 11:16 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-52: Dont worry Heyneke all about winning too
20 Apr 2012, 11:17 am
@CapeCrusader 54 – HAHAHA Nope I am a nobody, just had the fortune of paying against HM’s teams a few times.
20 Apr 2012, 19:09 pm
Everybody’s kneeling down prostrate at HM’s feet because he had one on one sessions with potential Boks. Am I missing something? Let’s wait to see him achieve something first.
Poor Heineke. I am sure he knows how blind adulation can quickly become venom.
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