SPRINGBOK coach Nick Mallett was pleased by the “early commitment” shown by the Springbok Rugby World Cup squad at the start of their training camp in Plettenberg Bay on Monday. No sooner had the squad arrived to a warm welcome from about 400 locals than they were hard at work in their first training session under team fitness trainer Kevin Stevenson. The indoor session lasted for about 90 minutes, with backs and forwards working separately to maximise effectiveness. Stevenson has mapped out a punishing schedule for the squad in the first week of the camp, complete with early morning swimming sessions on a local beach, a triathlon challenge and the exhausting indoor workouts. The Durban-based trainer has likened this week to “pre-season training” and the focus will be on fitness “without a rugby ball in sight”.