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Cape Town – Super Rugby success equals World Cup success.
That, according to Stormers captain Schalk Burger, is the important lesson that South Africa learned in 2007.
“It (success in Super Rugby) was the key to our success in 2007. A South African team won the tournament for the first time then and we managed to ride the wave and carry the good form into the international season,” Burger said on Wednesday.
“It’s important for South African teams to do well. In saying that, we dominated Super Rugby last year and could not do the same at Test level. Hopefully we get both right this year.”
The Bulls and Sharks contested the final in Durban in 2007, while last year’s final was between the Bulls and Stormers in Soweto.
Burger added that the players would not hold back just because this year is a World Cup year.
“We will go at it at 100 miles an hour. The physical intensity was definitely there in the first round,” said Burger.
“The difference will come in how the players are managed. It’s now a marathon rather than a sprint – that’s the only difference.
“The management of players will be important. It’s not just important for the Springboks, but also for your Super Rugby campaign. I don’t think we’ll see a player used in every game. There has to be a squad system.”
Cape Town – Super Rugby success equals World Cup success.
That, according to Stormers captain Schalk Burger, is the important lesson that South Africa learned in 2007.
“It (success in Super Rugby) was the key to our success in 2007. A South African team won the tournament for the first time then and we managed to ride the wave and carry the good form into the international season,” Burger said on Wednesday.
“It’s important for South African teams to do well. In saying that, we dominated Super Rugby last year and could not do the same at Test level. Hopefully we get both right this year.”
The Bulls and Sharks contested the final in Durban in 2007, while last year’s final was between the Bulls and Stormers in Soweto.
Burger added that the players would not hold back just because this year is a World Cup year.
“We will go at it at 100 miles an hour. The physical intensity was definitely there in the first round,” said Burger.
“The difference will come in how the players are managed. It’s now a marathon rather than a sprint – that’s the only difference.
“The management of players will be important. It’s not just important for the Springboks, but also for your Super Rugby campaign. I don’t think we’ll see a player used in every game. There has to be a squad system.”
