FRINGE PLAYERS: Pressure weighs heavily on extended squads to perform

One of the things rarely mentioned in the coverage of the South African sides in the Investec Champions’ Cup, is the lack of game time afforded to fringe players in the five South African franchises.

While the Toyota Cheetahs are not in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the other four franchises have enlarged squads to cope with the rigours of playing in competitions in Europe and have thus far found the balance quite difficult, as results will show.

But for some players, while there are still never-ending 12-month seasons, the lack of match time is a huge concern and has contributed to the performances of the sides of late.

Players on the fringes of all the franchises have the same problem. Coaches want consistency, so they need to play their first choice players in order to get a victory, but at the same time they need to create depth in their squads.

The stop-start nature of the competitions, especially when stretched across the Six Nations and Festive periods, means there are more breaks than some players would like, while those on the fringes have to continue training and wait for their chance to shine.

And for some players that could mean months on the sidelines.

As any player will tell you, there is no substitute for match fitness, for the grind of the game and no training session, however intense, can replicate that.

So for a number of players, they sit on the sidelines and have to wait their turn. And when they are thrown in the deep end and the results don’t come, they endure the wrath of the fans.

One such case this week was highlighted when Nizaam Carr, the Bulls stalwart, was asked about this situation.

Carr, no longer a youngster, knows his role in the side, and it is to help younger fringe players develop.

Nemo, as he is affectionately known, is now 33, and will play the elder statesman role in the team.

But at the same time out of the blue he was asked to lead the team into battle - a young team of fringe players - against Castres in a very hostile atmosphere.

Carr excelled despite not having played since the Currie Cup season, and in between had to deal with a burst appendix. 

With the most carries in the game, he earned himself the right to face Stade Francais this weekend again, but the battle to remain in top form is a difficult one.  

'NEED TO STAY SHARP'

Carr points out that it isn’t just him, but all the fringe players that struggle to keep themselves in top form if they’re not playing.

“Obviously, when you match fit, it's a totally different ball game to just training out there and running straight-line fitness runs or playing small-sided games to get your fitness up. We are training during the week, but it isn’t the same as playing a match. Because as you saw last week, a lot of the boys, including myself, haven't played for months. 

“And as a professional, you need to stay sharp, which is difficult, because I know match fitness plays a big role. So you need to stay sharp, you need to train hard, stay healthy, stay fit, or be available always at training so that you can be selected.

“For me personally, you can't take your foot off the pedal. You have to compete and the whole challenge for me is nice because you can never relax. You can't just chill in the gym or take a day off or call in sick.

“You have to be available and always challenging for the spot. And a lot of us, would we want to play more? Yes, that's the answer. But unfortunately, it is a big squad.

“So you have to always put your hand up every single day and be available for that challenge to come. But it's really difficult if some boys, including myself, come back after a few weeks. But that's the nature of the sport.”

Currently the gulf between the first choice sides of all the franchises and their fringe players is so great that coaches tend to be more conservative with their choices.

And while they are trying to build depth, the pressures of winning often take precedence.

Which makes it difficult for those fringe players to get a chance. And when they do, to suddenly perform against opposition that is in top form and playing regularly.