The Springboks got a “reality check” on their recent alignment camps, according to coach Jacques Nienaber.
The world’s top-ranked team has not played since winning the World Cup final against England back in 2019.
As one of only two teams in the top 10 – the other being 10th-placed Japan – that hasn’t played a single match this past year, Nienaber admits they have some catching up to do.
Following the conclusion of their last alignment camp in Bloemfontein, the South African Rugby Union sent out a statement yesterday in which Nienaber says: “It was reality check for us in terms of where we were in 2019 and where we are currently in 2021, and where we have to turn our focus towards and improve during our preparations.”
He adds: “These assemblies was the reality check exercise, to see where we are as a team, not just the players, but also the whole management – with that steering our focus to the areas we have to improve.
“And another major objective was for the players to have a clear understanding of exactly what is required of them to be considered for Springbok section.”
Of seeing the players face to face, Nienaber says: “The players haven’t been together [in a Springbok setup] for more than 500 days.
“Just meeting face-to-face was absolutely great, because I haven’t seen some of the players since the Rugby World Cup victory tour parade in November 2019.”