Ruan Nortje has wasted little time in getting stuck into the new gameplan after returning to the Springboks’ setup for the first time since 2022.
Rassie Erasmus’ Rugby Championship squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday for a short camp before their departure to Australia for the first leg of the tournament on Wednesday.
Nortje is the only new player in the Rugby Championship squad, meaning this is the first time he is working with the coaching team led by Erasmus, and which includes Tony Brown (backline coach) and Jerry Flannery (defence coach).
“It has always been a dream to play for the Springboks and after getting the chance to make my debut in 2022, I’ve been working hard to try to make my way back into the squad,” said Nortje, who captained the Vodacom Bulls to the URC final.
“I played with quite a few of the guys in 2022 and being able to play and train with them again is an absolute honour and privilege.
“Obviously the systems have changed quite a lot since the last time I was part of the team, but that excites me even more because I love learning new things and I’ve been enjoying the new aspects of the game the coaches have introduced to the set-up.
“It will take time to familiarise myself with the new way of doing things, but the coaches and players have been very helpful and have taken me under their wing, so I’m certain it will be an easy transition back into the squad.
“Although it is only day one, I am excited about this adventure and getting another chance in the Bok squad.”
The Springboks will face Australia in Brisbane and Perth on 10 and 17 August respectively, before returning to South Africa to play back-to-back matches against New Zealand on Saturday, 31 August in Johannesburg, and 7 September in Cape Town.
They will then take a short trip to Argentina to face Los Pumas in Santiago on Saturday, 21 September, before wrapping up the tournament in Nelspruit against Argentina on Saturday, 28 September.
Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
