Springbok captain Siya Kolisi recently shared that Duane Vermeulen, the former powerhouse No. 8 and current coach, showed off such ferocity in training that he seemed ready to channel his inner Norse god on the pitch. With a critical match looming in Cardiff and several key players sidelined due to club commitments, the Boks nearly called Vermeulen back into the fray.
Naming his lineup, coach Rassie Erasmus painted a dire picture, admitting the team was “two injuries away” from tapping Vermeulen for the game. Vermeulen, at 39, apparently hasn't lost his touch, terrorizing teammates in practice with his trademark intensity. “It’s great to have him as a coach, but facing him in training? Not so much fun,” Kolisi quipped, highlighting Vermeulen's capability to still dominate in the maul and at the breakdown.
"I didn’t like what I saw from Duane this week. He was trying very hard to take the players out in training!"
While Wales struggles with their own player availability, missing several key figures to club duties, Kolisi dismissed any notion of taking the upcoming Test lightly. Despite Wales’ recent rough patch, including tough losses to Argentina and the All Blacks, Kolisi stressed the importance of consistent preparation. “We prepare for everybody the same and treat every game exactly the same,” he affirmed, acknowledging the squad’s historical challenges against Wales.
Kolisi also reflected on the broader cycles of national team dynamics, noting how rapid changes can destabilize a team, drawing parallels to the Bok experiences post-2015. “What’s been good for us is that we’ve chopped and changed while still wanting to win. The coach never says, ‘It’s OK if we lose.’ We want to win and build squad depth,” he explained.
The tour has been a testament to the Boks' resilience, facing adversities like suspensions and red cards yet still pulling off significant wins. “It’s probably the tour where we’ve had the most growth,” Kolisi observed, praising his team’s ability to adapt and strategize on the fly, especially when down a player.
Amidst the tactical shifts and unexpected lineup changes, the Springboks are eyeing a clean sweep to cap off their season, demonstrating not just their physical prowess but also their strategic depth and adaptability under pressure.
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Springbok captain Siya Kolisi recently shared that Duane Vermeulen, the former powerhouse No. 8 and current coach, showed off such ferocity in training that he seemed ready to channel his inner Norse god on the pitch. With a critical match looming in Cardiff and several key players sidelined due to club commitments, the Boks nearly called Vermeulen back into the fray.
Naming his lineup, coach Rassie Erasmus painted a dire picture, admitting the team was “two injuries away” from tapping Vermeulen for the game. Vermeulen, at 39, apparently hasn't lost his touch, terrorizing teammates in practice with his trademark intensity. “It’s great to have him as a coach, but facing him in training? Not so much fun,” Kolisi quipped, highlighting Vermeulen's capability to still dominate in the maul and at the breakdown.
"I didn’t like what I saw from Duane this week. He was trying very hard to take the players out in training!"
While Wales struggles with their own player availability, missing several key figures to club duties, Kolisi dismissed any notion of taking the upcoming Test lightly. Despite Wales’ recent rough patch, including tough losses to Argentina and the All Blacks, Kolisi stressed the importance of consistent preparation. “We prepare for everybody the same and treat every game exactly the same,” he affirmed, acknowledging the squad’s historical challenges against Wales.
Kolisi also reflected on the broader cycles of national team dynamics, noting how rapid changes can destabilize a team, drawing parallels to the Bok experiences post-2015. “What’s been good for us is that we’ve chopped and changed while still wanting to win. The coach never says, ‘It’s OK if we lose.’ We want to win and build squad depth,” he explained.
The tour has been a testament to the Boks' resilience, facing adversities like suspensions and red cards yet still pulling off significant wins. “It’s probably the tour where we’ve had the most growth,” Kolisi observed, praising his team’s ability to adapt and strategize on the fly, especially when down a player.
Amidst the tactical shifts and unexpected lineup changes, the Springboks are eyeing a clean sweep to cap off their season, demonstrating not just their physical prowess but also their strategic depth and adaptability under pressure.