The pace of the Soccer World Cup comes thick and fast now, leaving little time to start intricate work on tactics and plans.
Bafana Bafana took Saturday off, had a light scrimmage on Sunday and for the last two days have held closed training sessions as they prepare for Wednesday’s key match with Uruguay in Pretoria.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has run through set-piece routines and polished up the quick interchange of passing that is the focus of the South African team’s game.
But there is no time for any fundamental work now. That should have all been completed before the start of the tournament.
Players really need rest and a recuperation. The fixture against Uruguay comes just five days after the physical and, particularly, emotive exertions of the match against Mexico.
Letting the squad take time off to see family and friends and encouraging then to sloth around and watch TV is key to Parreira’s plan. He doesn’t want them all hyped up and stressed out as they looked last Friday, nerves eventually almost proving their downfall.
There will be a run out at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday night and then the long wait until the 8.30pm kick off on Wednesday. Beating Uruguay is essential for home hopes, but it’s a tough ask.