Durban - The Sharks have now shifted their structure and focus from the gym to the field as they prepare for the Super Rugby competition.
And according to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, fitness levels are higher than ever with the gruelling gym and running programme put in place, with field sessions now taking the main focus of their preparations.
“We’re still training really hard and while there is still quite a large conditioning element to our programme, we’re toning back on it and getting more into our game planning,” explains coach John Plumtree.
The heat has been relentless, although this week has been cooler. Still, Durban at this time of the year can be unbearable and plenty of sweat and tears have been shed in building the conditioning base required for a six month rugby campaign.
Plumtree is happy with the way things have gone, and the minimal disruptions to the team in terms of injuries is further cause for satisfaction.
“It’s good to have numbers out there; the boys are avoiding injuries, staying fit and looking really good. We have trials next week so we want the players to be reasonably organised for that.”
He also confirmed that Willem Alberts has had his first run [on Tuesday] while Jean Deysel “is improving his leg strength all the time so it’s positive news with him.”
The Sharks will not have an intensive pre-season campaign in terms of match action, having an internal trial match and then hosting Boland on 10 February before closing out their programme with a match against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth the next week.
They start their Super Rugby campaign on February 24 against the Bulls in Pretoria.
And according to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, fitness levels are higher than ever with the gruelling gym and running programme put in place, with field sessions now taking the main focus of their preparations.
“We’re still training really hard and while there is still quite a large conditioning element to our programme, we’re toning back on it and getting more into our game planning,” explains coach John Plumtree.
The heat has been relentless, although this week has been cooler. Still, Durban at this time of the year can be unbearable and plenty of sweat and tears have been shed in building the conditioning base required for a six month rugby campaign.
Plumtree is happy with the way things have gone, and the minimal disruptions to the team in terms of injuries is further cause for satisfaction.
“It’s good to have numbers out there; the boys are avoiding injuries, staying fit and looking really good. We have trials next week so we want the players to be reasonably organised for that.”
He also confirmed that Willem Alberts has had his first run [on Tuesday] while Jean Deysel “is improving his leg strength all the time so it’s positive news with him.”
The Sharks will not have an intensive pre-season campaign in terms of match action, having an internal trial match and then hosting Boland on 10 February before closing out their programme with a match against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth the next week.
They start their Super Rugby campaign on February 24 against the Bulls in Pretoria.