As the Vodacom URC gears up for another bruising encounter, Glasgow Warriors' coach Franco Smith is openly expressing concerns about the depth of talent in South African squads, particularly as his team prepares to face the formidable Stormers this Saturday. The recent 52-14 thrashing at Ellis Park against the Lions has left Smith wary and his team battered both physically and mentally.
"It's been 22 weeks of highly intense rugby," Smith remarked, hinting at the fatigue setting in among his players. The relentless schedule has taken its toll, especially on those who participated in the Six Nations. "It’s good to have several internationals in your team, but they don’t rest in the Six Nations. 23 of them go on and play, and they come back with the mental demand being enormous for them," he explained.
"For the last couple of years, home or away is always difficult to manage until the playoffs."
The depth of the South African teams is something that Smith credits for their success, noting that it's not just the top-tier players who make an impact. "What makes the Lions good is that they’ve got Springbok-like players, but they are not Springboks. The same counts for the Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers. The most valuable players are the ones that are good enough to be Boks but aren’t. And they make the difference at a club level," Smith elaborated.
This depth, according to Smith, is a significant advantage that South African teams hold over many of their international counterparts, including his own. "Our second-choice international players, compared to South African franchises’ second-choice internationals, show differences in some players," he said, highlighting a disparity that could influence the outcome of their upcoming match in Cape Town.
With the Stormers seeking to redeem themselves and the Glasgow Warriors looking to overcome their squad depth issues, Saturday's clash is poised to be more than just a game. It's a test of resilience, strategy, and depth, qualities that Smith knows all too well are abundant in South African rugby.
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As the Vodacom URC gears up for another bruising encounter, Glasgow Warriors' coach Franco Smith is openly expressing concerns about the depth of talent in South African squads, particularly as his team prepares to face the formidable Stormers this Saturday. The recent 52-14 thrashing at Ellis Park against the Lions has left Smith wary and his team battered both physically and mentally.
"It's been 22 weeks of highly intense rugby," Smith remarked, hinting at the fatigue setting in among his players. The relentless schedule has taken its toll, especially on those who participated in the Six Nations. "It’s good to have several internationals in your team, but they don’t rest in the Six Nations. 23 of them go on and play, and they come back with the mental demand being enormous for them," he explained.
"For the last couple of years, home or away is always difficult to manage until the playoffs."
The depth of the South African teams is something that Smith credits for their success, noting that it's not just the top-tier players who make an impact. "What makes the Lions good is that they’ve got Springbok-like players, but they are not Springboks. The same counts for the Bulls, Sharks, and Stormers. The most valuable players are the ones that are good enough to be Boks but aren’t. And they make the difference at a club level," Smith elaborated.
This depth, according to Smith, is a significant advantage that South African teams hold over many of their international counterparts, including his own. "Our second-choice international players, compared to South African franchises’ second-choice internationals, show differences in some players," he said, highlighting a disparity that could influence the outcome of their upcoming match in Cape Town.
With the Stormers seeking to redeem themselves and the Glasgow Warriors looking to overcome their squad depth issues, Saturday's clash is poised to be more than just a game. It's a test of resilience, strategy, and depth, qualities that Smith knows all too well are abundant in South African rugby.