Ruan Nortje, towering Vodacom Bulls player, has openly admitted the Springboks’ lineout needs a serious tune-up before they face the Wallabies this Saturday at Cape Town Stadium. After a less than stellar performance in Johannesburg, Nortje emphasized the essential need for South Africa’s tight five to dial in their accuracy to set the stage for their teammates.
“All credit to Australia for how they handled the lineouts last week,” Nortje noted.
“It’s not just the players who were on the field. All the locks sat together and made plans from the Sunday before the match, so we need to ensure that we are more effective in that department this weekend.”
He further acknowledged the team's underperformance, stating, “We know we are much better than what we showed in Johannesburg, so it will be vital for us to stick to our plans this week and to go out there and be as physical as possible.”
Adding a twist to the upcoming game, Nortje will be starting alongside RG Snyman for the first time, a moment he cherishes deeply. “This is the first time I’ll be starting a game next to RG, and I’m excited about the opportunity,” he expressed. The duo's past connection at the Bulls adds to the anticipation, with Nortje recalling, “He was also at the Bulls a few years ago, and I always wanted us to play together, so the key for us this week will be to do our utmost to work well together.”
Nortje also reflected on the exceptional depth of talent in the Springboks’ lock positions, which pushes him to elevate his game. “It’s special for me to be part of this group of locks. Many of them have been my heroes since I started playing junior rugby, so I try to learn with each opportunity I get to play and train with them because it’s important to grab every chance one gets with both hands.”
The Springboks are gearing up not just for this face-off but also for a historic clash with Japan at Wembley, promising an electrifying showcase of rugby prowess.
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Ruan Nortje, towering Vodacom Bulls player, has openly admitted the Springboks’ lineout needs a serious tune-up before they face the Wallabies this Saturday at Cape Town Stadium. After a less than stellar performance in Johannesburg, Nortje emphasized the essential need for South Africa’s tight five to dial in their accuracy to set the stage for their teammates.
“All credit to Australia for how they handled the lineouts last week,” Nortje noted.
“It’s not just the players who were on the field. All the locks sat together and made plans from the Sunday before the match, so we need to ensure that we are more effective in that department this weekend.”
He further acknowledged the team's underperformance, stating, “We know we are much better than what we showed in Johannesburg, so it will be vital for us to stick to our plans this week and to go out there and be as physical as possible.”Adding a twist to the upcoming game, Nortje will be starting alongside RG Snyman for the first time, a moment he cherishes deeply. “This is the first time I’ll be starting a game next to RG, and I’m excited about the opportunity,” he expressed. The duo's past connection at the Bulls adds to the anticipation, with Nortje recalling, “He was also at the Bulls a few years ago, and I always wanted us to play together, so the key for us this week will be to do our utmost to work well together.”
Nortje also reflected on the exceptional depth of talent in the Springboks’ lock positions, which pushes him to elevate his game. “It’s special for me to be part of this group of locks. Many of them have been my heroes since I started playing junior rugby, so I try to learn with each opportunity I get to play and train with them because it’s important to grab every chance one gets with both hands.”
The Springboks are gearing up not just for this face-off but also for a historic clash with Japan at Wembley, promising an electrifying showcase of rugby prowess.