Springbok players frustrated by Rugby Championship uncertainty

Over the past months or so we have heard from the leadership of SA Rugby about the Springbok’s participation in the Rugby Championship, the media, rugby commentator and fans have also viewed their opinions while the players were mum on the issue.  

In the second day virtual press conference for the Springboks Showdown with players from team Green and Gold, the players had the platform to express their feelings about the matter.

 One who embodied their thoughts was stalwart Duane Vermeulen, he was twice about the Rugby Championship, and he at the end, was a bit agitated, because he was asked about something, he has no clue about.  His tone towards the uncertainty of the Rugby Championship was one of frustration.

“You’re talking about going to the Rugby Championship now; I think from the side of the media side you guys know a little bit more then we do, from our side we don’t even know if the Rugby Championship is confirmed yet,” said Vermeulen.

The are many elements to look at before the participation of the World Cup holders is confirmed, from government protocols, players conditioning and that is a factor that brings a disadvantage point for the Boks as compared to their other competitors who have had game time required to get their bodies in shape for international rugby.

“We would be going to the Championship, if that happens; with a little bit if a disadvantage. New Zealand and Australia have been playing for the past 10 – 11 weeks and they already finished their competitions.

It’s difficult for us as players, there’s a thing from the medical side saying that you need to play something like 400 minutes before going for international competition, there is more clever guys who will look into that and a way going forward.”

For now, though, the South African player are readying themselves for the return of competitive rugby for the first time since the lockdown was impose, and the Vodacom Bulls captain has stressed that the players are focusing on local competitions rather than thinking about the Rugby Championships.

“But also, we still don’t know what’s going to happen we can only focus on what we can control, we can only control the now. The most important thing is how you can prepare your body physically once the competition starts. What we focusing on, that’s has been cleared by SA Rugby is the Currie Cup and not thinking too far ahead about the Rugby Championships.”