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Sydney - The Springboks’ overseas leg of their 2011 Castle Lager Tri-Nations campaign is the perfect opportunity for fringe players to play themselves into World Cup contention, South Africa captain John Smit said on Friday.
South Africa have opted to tour with a de-facto “B” squad with 21 players left at home because of injuries but Smit said the battle for places in the World Cup was just hotting up.
“One thing about a World Cup is that there is a squad of 30, and each one of those players is really important whether it be how they play, their attitude or the persona they bring into the environment,” said Smit.
“Each of the guys that has got a chance, that has got a green and gold jersey on for a match before the World Cup will know that they have an opportunity to put their hand up and have a crack for the chance to be in the top 30,” he added.
South Africa take on Australia in Sydney on Saturday before a short hop across the Tasman Sea to play the All Blacks in Wellington the following week and Smit explained that there are not many chances left for players to impress coach Peter de Villiers.
“We don’t have a chance for warm-up games because of congestion. There are four games before the World Cup and the last one is played two weeks before our first World Cup game.
“It is important to get some type of momentum and confidence, make sure that the combinations you are playing are functioning, even if they aren’t the ones you are relying on, to give yourself a few selection headaches before the World Cup. Hopefully the guys that have got a chance for the first couple of games can make those selection decisions harder for the coach,” he explained.
In 2007 South Africa, under Jake White, opted to use a reserve squad for the overseas leg of the Tri-Nations.
The team narrowly lost 25-17 to Australia before succumbing 33-6 to New Zealand but, in the long run, the decision proved to be a wise one as the Springboks went on to win the World Cup that year.
Smit was one of the players left at home that year and he said he remembers feeling worried about his World Cup place after seeing how well the so-called reserve team performed overseas.
“I think back four years ago, we were sitting at Schalk Burger’s wine farm watching the game against Australia and we went 17-nil ahead and it was a very quiet braai! I’m hoping we can replicate that,” he said confidently.
On a personal note Smit, a veteran of 102 tests, said that he was enjoying the challenge of leading the inexperienced squad on tour, even with the realisation that it would be his last Tri-Nations tour.
“It’s an exciting time for me to know that it will be the last time I am away on a Tri-Nations trip, to know that there is only a handful of tests left that you could possibly be selected for. You have to play and prepare for each test as if it could be your last,” he said.
The 33-year-old went on to say that the youngsters in the squad were keeping him on his toes.
“To start off my last season with a couple of guys who haven’t played as much as I have is pretty exciting. For me it is very much a case of leaving everything out there on the field and not worrying about next year,” he concluded.
South Africa have opted to tour with a de-facto “B” squad with 21 players left at home because of injuries but Smit said the battle for places in the World Cup was just hotting up.
“One thing about a World Cup is that there is a squad of 30, and each one of those players is really important whether it be how they play, their attitude or the persona they bring into the environment,” said Smit.
“Each of the guys that has got a chance, that has got a green and gold jersey on for a match before the World Cup will know that they have an opportunity to put their hand up and have a crack for the chance to be in the top 30,” he added.
South Africa take on Australia in Sydney on Saturday before a short hop across the Tasman Sea to play the All Blacks in Wellington the following week and Smit explained that there are not many chances left for players to impress coach Peter de Villiers.
“We don’t have a chance for warm-up games because of congestion. There are four games before the World Cup and the last one is played two weeks before our first World Cup game.
“It is important to get some type of momentum and confidence, make sure that the combinations you are playing are functioning, even if they aren’t the ones you are relying on, to give yourself a few selection headaches before the World Cup. Hopefully the guys that have got a chance for the first couple of games can make those selection decisions harder for the coach,” he explained.
In 2007 South Africa, under Jake White, opted to use a reserve squad for the overseas leg of the Tri-Nations.
The team narrowly lost 25-17 to Australia before succumbing 33-6 to New Zealand but, in the long run, the decision proved to be a wise one as the Springboks went on to win the World Cup that year.
Smit was one of the players left at home that year and he said he remembers feeling worried about his World Cup place after seeing how well the so-called reserve team performed overseas.
“I think back four years ago, we were sitting at Schalk Burger’s wine farm watching the game against Australia and we went 17-nil ahead and it was a very quiet braai! I’m hoping we can replicate that,” he said confidently.
On a personal note Smit, a veteran of 102 tests, said that he was enjoying the challenge of leading the inexperienced squad on tour, even with the realisation that it would be his last Tri-Nations tour.
“It’s an exciting time for me to know that it will be the last time I am away on a Tri-Nations trip, to know that there is only a handful of tests left that you could possibly be selected for. You have to play and prepare for each test as if it could be your last,” he said.
The 33-year-old went on to say that the youngsters in the squad were keeping him on his toes.
“To start off my last season with a couple of guys who haven’t played as much as I have is pretty exciting. For me it is very much a case of leaving everything out there on the field and not worrying about next year,” he concluded.
