The 2022 SA Rugby Academy programme was officially opened on Wednesday by Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, who was accompanied by Boks players Frans Malherbe, Herschel Jantjies, Marvin Orie, and Scarra Ntubeni, as well as former Junior Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat.
Stick gave a 30-minute motivational talk, explaining the purposes of the camp, and offered sound advice on what it takes to succeed as a professional rugby player, and what it would ultimately take to become a Springbok.
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This year’s Academy, which is one of the key pillars in preparing the top junior players in the country to make the step up to the SA Under-20 squad, will run until 30 June at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS).
“The main thing for us was to welcome the boys here on behalf of SA Rugby, and it was also good to see a couple of our players coming out to share their journey and experience with the group,” said Stick.
“Personally, I was also part of this journey, when I was a member of the Junior Boks coaching staff with Chean Roux in 2017, so I have a special connection to this programme.
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“After the disruptions of a previous couple of seasons, because of Covid-19, I must say it was really very nice to see the players and coaches resuming this important pathway programme. Some of them didn’t get an opportunity to play for SA Schools or the Junior Boks (because of the pandemic).
“However, what matters now is that they are here with a fantastic opportunity to further develop their promising careers,” added Stick.
