In the world of rugby fitness, there are a few players who stand out - those who go beyond the normal training regimes and treat their bodies like a temple.
There are few that will compare to Springbok midfielder Jesse Kriel, the ultimate athlete and as fit as they can get, but this weekend in the Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park, his midfield opposition has a fitness freak of their own.
Enter young Seb Atkinson, the Gloucester midfielder who has made a name for himself by already being hailed as the “fittest man in rugby” and has a history of triathlons and cross-country running.
FITNESS FREAK
Atkinson is a gym addict, a fitness freak and the man who apparently broke Beauden Barrett’s Bronco record in a fitness test.
The Bronco test - thought to be the universal gold standard for rugby conditioning, is a brutal test that players love to hate.
Players must complete five consecutive shuttle reps of 20 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres and back, totalling a 1.2 kilometre sprint.
Atkinson shaved four seconds off Barrett’s record by completing it in an unprecedented 4 minutes and eight seconds. B
arrett and Cam Roigard both set that pace and it was hailed worldwide.
To understand Atkinson you need to understand the way he thinks. The midfielder openly admits enjoying the psychological torment of fatigue and talks in interviews about pushing himself “to dark places” so that he can operate at the maximum heart rate.
ALPHA MALE TEST
Given the test is played at altitude, it is a challenge that Atkinson refers to as the “alpha male test” he will undergo this weekend in Johannesburg.
But Atkinson isn’t just about fitness, he has some impressive defensive stats, and has an overall 87 per cent tackle success rate, which isn’t at all shabby.
He consistently averages 14 to 18 tackles in a game, which is an astounding high number normally only achieved by loose forwards.
Add to that a defensive turnover or two and you can see why Steve Borthwick wants him to be a thorn in Springbok side this weekend.
But Kriel, who easily holds the fitness mantle in the Springbok team, has seen this sort of challenge before.
BRONCOS DON'T WIN GAMES
He knows what is coming and is more focused on ensuring his team gets a victory than worrying about a sub-plot for the test match.
"I think he's obviously a great player. He's going to add massive value to their squad. I know he's broken the Bronco record, but the Bronco doesn't win you rugby games,” he answered bluntly when asked this week.
“Our fitness tests are a good baseline. But all their centres are quality players. They've shown throughout the Premiership how good they are. So I'm looking forward to the challenge and excited about it."
Atkinson will line up directly across Damian de Allende this weekend, with the latter earning his 98th cap for the Springboks and is clearly relishing the challenge.
“That’s what rugby is all about. This is like an alpha test,” he said in a media briefing this week. “But you don’t want to forget who you are as a player. It’s about being physical but also having the ability to beat people.
NO FEAR FOR BOKS
And he clearly has no fear for the Bok midfield and his opposite number in particular.
“The last few years I’ve been watching him and a couple of the other South African players play, particularly in my position. I’ve played against Andre Esterhuizen in the Prem, so similar vibes.
“Damian de Allende’s a great ball carrier and he’s got the ability to ball play as well – so similar things to what I’ve been going after in my game for the last few years.
“I’m not going to try and copy him, but he’s a great centre and inspired me along my rugby journey to bring out some bits in my own game.
“It looks like he understands what he’s about really well and he’s always continuing to develop that, but also not trying to reinvent himself.
“Just him being unapologetically himself is probably something that’s got him as far as he has. Can you be you on the biggest stage? I try to do that personally and when you come up against these guys, yes, they’re great players, but you also want to make sure that you’re being yourself.
“I’ve always viewed myself as a very balanced rugby player by trying to make the right decision at the right time.
MEASURE AGAINST THE BEST
“If you are able to do that against the best players in the world, then that’ll only push it on even further. It will be exciting to test myself against the best on Saturday.”
That sub-plot will play itself out under the bigger picture of a rugby rivalry that fans are relishing and which will test the Springboks this weekend.
But all involved know the sub-plots only matter if the main goal is reached, and both will be looking to ensure they play their part in that for their teams.