A group of 24 contracted Springbok players underwent a thorough medical and conditioning assessment in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The testing was overseen by Springbok coach Jake White and his medical and conditioning team. Andy Marinos, manager of national teams at SA Rugby, was also present.
A few players did not attend due to injury. They were Springbok captain John Smit, CJ van der Linde, Gurthro Steenkamp, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk and Marius Joubert.
Two more assessments are scheduled for later this year — in May after completion of the Vodacom Super 14 competition, and in July before the start of the Vodacom Tri-Nations.
White expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the pre-season assessments.
”We wanted to assess the players after they have had a really tough 2005 season. These results will provide us with a firm basis for our overall conditioning plan for the 2006 season,” White explained afterwards.
”The forthcoming international season will be even more demanding than previous years. Our players will participate in the expanded Vodacom Super 14 competition, and the Vodacom Tri-Nations will boast a bigger format. It is therefore vital that we start real early with our preparations and especially our conditioning programme.
”More importantly, these assessments will form an integral part of our strategic preparations, conditioning plan and objective for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.”
Marinos explained that the two remaining assessments will be used as key performance indicators when the contracted players are again assessed in terms of their contracts.
Both Marinos and White reiterated that the injured Springbok players who did not undergo testing will have to complete the same assessments before they will be allowed to return to action. — Sapa