Being a Bok is no honeymoon

AJ Venter’s return to the Springbok rugby squad did not last long. The big forward has been excused from activities during the week before the second Test against England in Pretoria on Saturday writes Liam Del Carme for Beeld. 

Venter has been given time to renegotiate his contract with the Sharks. And, there was also the sensitive matter of resuming his honeymoon.

Zola Yeye, manager of the South African team, said on Tuesday Venter would rejoin the squad next Sunday, before the start of preparations for the Test against Samoa at Ellis Park.

The immediate future of injured Springboks Os du Randt and André Pretorius is less clear.

The players who will stand in for them at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday have another opportunity to cement their positions.

Allister Coetzee, assistant coach of the Springboks, believes players cannot be measured for World Cup blazers just yet.

“There are still a number of positions to play for,” said Coetzee on Tuesday. “It is important for every player to prove to the coach he deserves to be in the team.

“It is important for them to push each other,” the former scrumhalf said.

Even more than members of the Springbok squad, a number of England players have been given valuable opportunities during their short tour of South Africa.

“They have a lot to play for,” said Coetzee of the visitors who will oppose the South Africans on Saturday.

“New Zealand are the favourites to win the World Cup,” he added.

“Unlike our cricket team before their World Cup tournament we (the Springboks) are not going to France as the world’s No 1 team.

“This year, we want to take it one match at a time. Therefore, we cannot anticipate matters too far in advance.”

Springbok coach Jake White was kept clear of news interviews on Tuesday. It was left to his assistant, Gert Smal, and Coetzee to avoid saying the wrong things.

Smal was largely satisfied with the SA team’s performance in the first Test last week, but included the usual number of “buts” in whatever he said.

“If you take a good look at last week’s match it is clear that there are a number of aspects on which we can improve,” he said.

“We were not good in the set pieces, but it was always going to be a difficult match for us after the Super 14 competition and because it was our first Test of the year.

“To us, the challenge is to see how we can improve our game, especially in the tight phases.

“The way we attacked from first-phase possession was also not good,” said the former Springbok loose forward.