Bok Women wrap-up two-week camp on a positive note

The springbok women rounded-off a two-week camp based in Stellenbosch on Friday, with the coaching staff satisfied with the work and grit shown by the players.

The team kicked off preparations a week prior to moving to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport. Assistant coach, Franzel September, stated the team’s efforts were unreal during the five day high intensity training period.

She also said: "I have to give credit to the players, who really responded well to what we asked of them this week. We had 48 players here and 28 of those were named to represent us at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar in early June, so they started working together as a squad with myself and coach Bafana Nhleko, while the other 20 were drilled by coach Swys (de Bruin) and coach Laurian (Johannes-Haupt). All the coaches are happy with the responses we got from our groups."

On May 28th an assembly camp will be held ahead of the squad’s departure to Antananarivo. Safe to say, a solid foundation was laid this week ahead of the September fixtures.

"The focus remain the Rugby World Cup and before that the four matches against Canada and Black Ferns XV, but before that happens the three matches in Madagascar are the important ones for us. I liked what I saw from the new players that came into the squad, and they responded well this week." - Franzel September

On Wednesday, the 100 day countdown to the Women’s Rugby World Cup began and was celebrated by the squad, however the countdown to Mission Africa is much shorter for coach September.

“The group going to Madagascar will give us a good indication of the depth available in our system and will give some senior players valuable game time. Most of these players finished their season at the end of March, so these camps are important for us to get cohesion in the group, while at the same time make sure there are no issues with their fitness and match readiness.”- Franzel September