Head coach Rassie Erasmus has praised Junior Boks Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead, who made the most of their opportunity in the Springboks camp.
The trio were invited to train with the back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions for two weeks in the build-up to the Rugby Championship.
Rassie’s verdict
Erasmus added the players to the two-week training camp in order to continue building squad depth and nurturing the young talent for the future.
“It was fantastic to have Bathobele, Cheswill and Haashim with us, and it was impressive to see their enthusiasm and the way they grabbed the opportunity with both hands on and off the field,” said head coach Erasmus.
“We were very pleased with the way they slotted into the training sessions and used the time to interact with the Springbok players and learn from them, even though we made it clear that there was no pressure on them to grasp all our structures and systems. It was rather an opportunity for them to experience how we operate in the team and to expose them to what is required to perform at this level, and they certainly embraced the opportunity.
“It was good to see how they took the time to understand our structures, and how they used this chance to engage with the players on a one-on-one basis.”
The head coach believes that the trio have promising futures ahead of them after starring for the U20s en route to winning the World Rugby U20 Championship.
“They all have bright futures, and we hope the experience they gained and the lessons learned will set them in good stead, as they look to further develop their careers and strive to reach this level in the coming years,” he added.
Rookie’s take
Reflecting on his time with the Boks, Jooste said: “The past two weeks with the Boks have been incredible.
“As a Junior Bok, it was a privilege to be among the best, and although it was tough, I learned a lot. I walk away with new insights, more confidence and an even greater hunger to grow.
“It was particularly memorable for me to be inspired and motivated by the players I look up to and who are already where I’d like to be. They didn’t only share their knowledge, but also their energy and spirit of unity.
“I’d like to thank everyone who made this experience possible. I am truly grateful for every lesson, every tip, and every piece of encouragement. This is just the beginning.”
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Highly-rated scrum-half Pead, who was in his second season with the Junior Boks this year, echoed those sentiments.
“I’ve learnt valuable lessons, and the experience I gained will truly go a long way,” said Pead.
“Thanks to the coaches and players. I believe I have grown in the last two weeks, and with these high standards, it definitely motivated me to give my absolute best so that I can reach the level they are at.
“I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and I hope that there many more of these to come in the future. It made me realise that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I’ll certainly take all the lessons and apply it to my game, and hopefully I’ll keep growing and become a better rugby player and human being.”
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Hlekani, who was unveiled as the latest Lions’ signing, as reported by Planet Rugby, said that he cherished every moment of the camp.
“It was very special, and I learned a lot from the forwards as well as the coaching staff,” said Hlekani.
“The last two weeks have allowed me to improve the techniques I was lacking in, and the intensity of the training sessions were very high, which was great for us.
“I’ll definitely take what I learned and use it to improve my game, and hopefully we’ll get another opportunity like this in future. I’m going to keep pushing, stay hungry, and hopefully one day I’ll be part of this squad.”
The Bok camp concluded on Thursday afternoon with the players returning home to spend time with their families before reassembling in Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa open up their Rugby Championship account against Australia at Ellis Park before facing the Wallabies in Cape Town a week later.