South African Rugby Union cancels Third National Training Camp – Rugby World Cup news
South African Rugby Union (SARU) has cancelled their upcoming third national training camp as part of their preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Springboks head coach, Peter de Villiers, announced the decision at
the end of SARU’s second national training camp held on June 12 and June 13 at Durban, South Africa.
The reports are that the decision to cancel the planned national camp is because of SARUs expected Super Rugby franchise play-off commitments. De Villiers said, “With the Stormers and possibly both the Sharks and the Bulls involved
in the play-off phases of the Super Rugby competition - in fixtures that were scheduled many months ago - it was decided to call off the third camp which was set to take place following this weekend's games.”
Earlier in the April, SARU announced a 51-man provisional 2011 RWC squad and Springboks coach Peter De Villiers announced the three national training camps as part of their RWC preparations.
De Villiers has termed the second national training camp as success. He thanked all the participants for getting together particularly after a very busy Super Rugby weekend. He also praised the players’ professionalism and sportsman spirit particularly when
players from winning and losing sides were sharing the same room.
Springboks head coach thanked the management of the Super Rugby franchises for releasing their players on short notice for national duties. He further added that their cooperation has helped the SARU management to effectively plan for the 2011 RWC.
Elaborating on the different points addressed in SARU’s national training camp, Peter said, “There were different components to the camp and we had medical and logistical sessions as well some required photo-shoots but the most important part was spent on
technical rugby matters so that our planning will be fully in place for when the international season kicks off next month.”
Thirty-seven men attended the second national training camp at Durban on Sunday and Monday including:
John Smit (Sharks, captain), Victor Matfield (Bulls, vice-captain), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Gio Aplon (Western Province), Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Schalk Burger (Western Province),
Juan de Jongh (Western Province), Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Western Province), Bryan Habana (Western Province), Francois Hougaard (Blue Bulls),
Butch James (Lions), Ashley Johnson (Free State Cheetahs), Werner Kruger (Blue Bulls), Pat Lambie (Sharks), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls),Coenie Oosthuizen (Free State Cheetahs), Ruan Pienaar
(Ulster), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Blue Bulls),Francois Steyn (Racing Metro), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls), Adriaan Strauss
(Free State Cheetahs), Flip van der Merwe (Blue Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Western Province).
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