Things are slowly falling into place for Tri-Nations-winning coach Jake White two months ahead of the Grand Slam tour of the United Kingdom.
White, still basking in the glory of the Springboks’ Tri-Nations triumph, met with journalists on Thursday in Sandton to set out plans for the upcoming tour of Britain and Argentina.
While most issues for the tour have already been taken care of, the one worry for White is possible player burn-out that threatens to derail his bid to snare the coveted ”Grand Slam” — victory over all four of the Home Nations.
The Grand Slam was last achieved by Avril Malan’s Springboks in 1961 — before White was even born.
The tour comprises four gruelling Tests on consecutive weekends (and then a trip to Argentina) and White is fearful that his young team could suffer during the Currie Cup.
He is set to approach the respective provincial coaches in a bid to ensure certain players are given sufficient time off.
”I’ll be taking between 26 and 32 players on the tour, depending on how things pan out in the Currie Cup,” said White on Thursday.
Even the players White has less control over — fullback Percy Montgomery and flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen — have enjoyed a well-earned rest.
Montgomery is in Mauritius with his wife, while Van der Westhuyzen and his family are still in South Africa on holiday, but he will be flying out to join his club teammates at NEC in Japan next week.
”It’s great that they have been given time off. Monty has a whole month to recuperate and his coach [at Gwent Dragons] has been extremely understanding. He has been receiving a salary from them while playing for the Boks,” said White.
White also plans to fly to Japan soon to meet with NEC’s chairpersonand coach to explain his needs with regard to the Bok number 10.
The Springbok squad is due to be announced after the Currie Cup final on October 23, after which the squad will assemble in Johannesburg for a training camp before flying out on November 2.
The Springboks play their first Test against Wales in Cardiff on November 6 and then play on consecutive weekends against Ireland, England and Scotland.
The Boks then visit Buenos Aires for a one-off Test against Argentina before returning home on December 6. — Sapa