The Springbok Women concluded another productive training camp at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Friday, with the important aspect of law interpretation a key aspect to the week’s preparation and focus.
According to Bok Women assistant coach Franzel September, good work was done with regards to their fundamentals, but importantly, attention to detail to the laws of the game was an underlying theme at this camp, the third this year as they build-up towards the Rugby World Cup in August.
“We want to be the most disciplined team at the World Cup and made it part of our planning from the start,” said September.
“At this camp, we had Aimee Barrett-Theron with us all week and Dylan November on Friday, assisting us in all matters law-related.
“Aimee did two days of training with us, going through various phases of play and explaining the way referees interpret things and that helped the players a huge amount.
“Today, Dylan helped us in our defence session, and we want to thank them for their time. We really want to make this a focus area of our campaign, not to concede penalties, so these interventions are gold to us. We will keep involving them in future.”
Great to have (SA Rugby and World Rugby referee) @AimeeBarrett44 at training camp this week. Big focus for squad building towards improving their law knowledge and understanding of the game with sessions on the field and in the classroom as we build towards the @rugbyworldcup in… pic.twitter.com/kHegTHsVZi
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) February 20, 2025
September was complimentary not only of the players’ attitude, but also fitness levels. They endured very hot weather in Stellenbosch but never lacked effort.
“There is massive gratitude to all the provincial coaches, as all these players are also midst in the Women's Premier Division, but we found their cooperation very beneficial,” he said.
“We had a good discussion with them last November, explaining our roadmap to the World Cup and how these camps fit into that plan, and they are all on board, something we cannot credit enough.
“The technical part of these camps is one thing, the fact that we can train with good intensity is another and very helpful.”
The players returned to their home unions on Friday and will be back in action next weekend in round five of the Premier Division.
“The fact that we have the competition this early does not only help getting the girls in shape earlier than usual, but it also gives them valuable game time,” said September.
“It also affords us the opportunity to keep a close watch on the contenders in each position. Overall, our campaign is moving along nicely.”
The next camp will take place from 10-15 March, also in Stellenbosch