The Springboks have enlisted the services of a host of doctors and specialists in the build-up to their international season and as they prepare in Bloemfontein, medical reports have been flowing furiously.
But perhaps the most important advice will come from another sort of professor in the form of scrum doctor Balie Swart, a former Springbok front-ranker and World Cup winner.
Swart, who has coached extensively in New Zealand is a consultant to Jake White’s team until June 1 and his input is proving invaluable.
”Balie has done incredibly well at the Sharks and their turnaround in scrumming play has purely been because of his input,” said Springbok captain and fellow front-ranker John Smit.
”He is helping this pack of forwards with his attention to detail and vast experience, bringing composure to the pack which has so much potential,” said Smit.
”With my role comes humility, honour and also much expectation,” said Swart.
”All the top international teams, especially New Zealand, have systems in place where the whole country basically scrums the same and we need those kind of systems.”
Swart is a complete and unashamed fan of White and his approach and believes the coach has the right stuff to take the team into and beyond the next World Cup.
”I can see where Jake is going, he is totally open, not autocratic at all,” said Swart before turning to Smit to ask if the autocratic was right word. Smit nodded.
”I have only been around a couple of days and I can tell you Jake reminds me of the late Kitch Christie [World Cup-winning coach of 1995],” continued Swart.
”Kitch Christie knew how to get players to rally around him and I can sense the same aura regarding Jake [White].”
Swart said the Springboks were already powerful and if they could combine that power with technique they would be a force to be reckoned with in France next year.
Smit meanwhile said that his groin injury was serious and that he could play ”tomorrow” if he had to.
”It’s not a train smash, the medical staff just see now as a good opportunity to get in an extra two weeks rest,” said Smit, who refused to speculate when the team to play the World XV would be announced, nor who would replace him as captain for the match, scheduled for Ellis Park next week. – Sapa