The Sunday Mail
THE Zimbabwe Sables need to up their work rate and adopt a more professional approach if they are to realise their dream of qualifying for next year’s IRB Rugby World Cup in Japan.
That is the assessment of new Sables gaffer Peter De Villiers who believes that his charges were hugely exposed during their 62-19 loss to the Vodacom Blue Bulls last month.
“Like I said earlier, there were some positives that came out of the Blue Bulls, and that is something we would never have known had we not played that game.
“For that I am very thankful, it was truly an eye-opening experience” said the 60-year-old.
“It is my belief that we were largely exposed, particularly on the defensive side of the game.
“My goal now is to strengthen that department before we play our first game next month,” he said.
De Villiers returned home on Thursday, following a two-weeks absence, and immediately called in his 40-men training squad for the first of many four-day camps expected to run throughout this month.
The camp, currently ongoing in Bulawayo, began on Friday and is expected to wind up tomorrow.
“My father unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago and I had to rush back to South Africa to organise and attend his funeral.
“That is why it appears like we have begun our preparations late.
“Fortunately, things went well and I am back now,” he said.
The 60-year-old Paarl-born tactician appears to have returned with a renewed sense of purpose.
“It is quite sad that I will not have the boys for long, as there is a lot of work to be done.
“However, I do understand that these boys are professionals and will need to return to their jobs, unions and clubs.
“In the meantime, it is back to business and the goal of this camp which is the first of many, will be to improve their conditioning and make sure that they start playing at the required international standard.
“I would have loved to play more competitive games, but seeing it seems like that won’t happen, we try our best to create the required playing conditions in preparation for the games we have ahead of us.
“Any player that fails to do just that will be cut and replaced by players who can,” he said.
