It was about 18 months before the last Rugby World Cup that the Springboks' march to the crown started in earnest.
The World Cup holders are now just inside that window to the next instalment and coach Jacques Nienaber on Tuesday declared himself satisfied at the conclusion of the year's first alignment camp with 22 players in Durban.
Some felt he was left in a catch 22-situation given the mild uprising that followed his omission of loose forwards Evan Roos and Marcell Coetzee from the camp.
Nienaber over the weekend, however, sought to explain what drives the selection process. He did so from a position of strength given the Springboks' status as world champions, most recent conquerors of the British and Irish Lions and the top-ranked team in the world.
The building blocks that were carefully positioned in the lead-up to the last World Cup are still very much in place. That side was built on team culture, brotherhood and, which perhaps explains their selections, familiarity. Intimate knowledge of team systems and dynamics are essential. Coaches like to know what and who they are dealing with.
Coaches will gravitate to who they know
It is only natural for Nienaber and Co to gravitate to the players who have served them well. He did however stress that they cannot be complacent but to what extent that will apply to team selection further down the line remains to be seen.
Of course, cracking the nod to attend an alignment camp doesn't mean automatic inclusion when the Boks run out against Wales in July.
Given the uncertainty with which SA had to approach the start of last season, Nienaber appears relieved the show is on the road.
“We are pleased with the outcomes achieved at our first alignment camp and I believe the players have a good idea of what is expected of them on and off the field as we look forward to a challenging international season,” he said.
“As I explained before the camp, the key for us was to inform the players of what the calendar will look like for the year. And to paint the pictures we wanted to, so that we can ensure everyone is on the same page when we select our national squad for the series against Wales and then the Rugby Championship.
“Once we have finalised our squad for the Wales Tests, we will have a training camp where we will be able to put all of the aspects of the game we discussed into practice as we look to fine-tune certain areas of our game.
Alignment camps save time
“Hosting these alignment camps will not only save time before our field sessions once the Springbok team get together, but it also gives the players a chance to start improving on certain aspects of their game individually as they continue their provincial commitments in the lead-up to the international season.”
The first alignment camp will be followed by camps with the overseas-based players in England and France, plus virtual meetings, all of which will take place between April 16 and 25. Another local alignment camp is set for Cape Town between May 1 and 5.
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Bok coach Nienaber a happy camper
Preparations for this year's Test roster and the next Rugby World Cup under way
Image: David Rogers/Getty Images
It was about 18 months before the last Rugby World Cup that the Springboks' march to the crown started in earnest.
The World Cup holders are now just inside that window to the next instalment and coach Jacques Nienaber on Tuesday declared himself satisfied at the conclusion of the year's first alignment camp with 22 players in Durban.
Some felt he was left in a catch 22-situation given the mild uprising that followed his omission of loose forwards Evan Roos and Marcell Coetzee from the camp.
Nienaber over the weekend, however, sought to explain what drives the selection process. He did so from a position of strength given the Springboks' status as world champions, most recent conquerors of the British and Irish Lions and the top-ranked team in the world.
The building blocks that were carefully positioned in the lead-up to the last World Cup are still very much in place. That side was built on team culture, brotherhood and, which perhaps explains their selections, familiarity. Intimate knowledge of team systems and dynamics are essential. Coaches like to know what and who they are dealing with.
Coaches will gravitate to who they know
It is only natural for Nienaber and Co to gravitate to the players who have served them well. He did however stress that they cannot be complacent but to what extent that will apply to team selection further down the line remains to be seen.
Of course, cracking the nod to attend an alignment camp doesn't mean automatic inclusion when the Boks run out against Wales in July.
Given the uncertainty with which SA had to approach the start of last season, Nienaber appears relieved the show is on the road.
“We are pleased with the outcomes achieved at our first alignment camp and I believe the players have a good idea of what is expected of them on and off the field as we look forward to a challenging international season,” he said.
“As I explained before the camp, the key for us was to inform the players of what the calendar will look like for the year. And to paint the pictures we wanted to, so that we can ensure everyone is on the same page when we select our national squad for the series against Wales and then the Rugby Championship.
“Once we have finalised our squad for the Wales Tests, we will have a training camp where we will be able to put all of the aspects of the game we discussed into practice as we look to fine-tune certain areas of our game.
Alignment camps save time
“Hosting these alignment camps will not only save time before our field sessions once the Springbok team get together, but it also gives the players a chance to start improving on certain aspects of their game individually as they continue their provincial commitments in the lead-up to the international season.”
The first alignment camp will be followed by camps with the overseas-based players in England and France, plus virtual meetings, all of which will take place between April 16 and 25. Another local alignment camp is set for Cape Town between May 1 and 5.
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