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Cape Town - Springbok
and Bulls centre Jan Serfontein says he is enjoying his rugby again
after impressive recent performances for club and country.
Serfontein was a standout performer in the Springboks' three-nil series whitewash of France last month and also starred in the Bulls' upset of the Sharks in Super Rugby last weekend.
The 24-year-old has credited his rejuvenation to the change of environment in the Springbok camp after a disastrous 2016 as well as due to the fact he is playing in his preferred position at inside centre.
“It was a good team performance against the Sharks. On a personal level I am in good form and it feels as if a lot of things are going right for me. It is about being at the right place at the right time and I’m enjoying it at the moment,” Serfontein told IOL.
“It’s definitely the change in environment and getting the enjoyment back. It all starts with the team, if the team does better then the individuals will do better and that is what has happened at the Boks and in our game against the Sharks.
“It is good to be back in my preferred position. It has helped to build a partnership with Jesse and with Elton at the Boks. I started to remember and believe in my own abilities and after a string of good games my confidence also returned, making me believe I can still play at the highest level. It is really nice to be enjoying my rugby again,” added Serfontein.
He says Bok coach Allister Coetzee and his coaching staff have created an environment where creative freedom is encouraged without the fear of making errors.
“The coaches created an environment for us where we can express ourselves and it was an easy and simple game-plan. It was all about hard work and effort and not so much about making mistakes. All of that put together and the enjoyment with all the guys on the field and playing for the Springboks was a great formula to perform.”
The 24-year-old Serfontein is determined to end his Bulls journey with a flourish before he leaves for France next season to join up with Top 14 side Montpellier.
“It was one of my goals this year to leave Loftus on a high note so I will definitely be going out to play very well in the next two games. In the end it is about the team doing well and the better the team does, the better it is for the individuals in the team as well," he said.
“To have a couple of good games in a row definitely helps with self-confidence. If I can build on my performances and the Bulls build on the win against the Sharks then it will look good for us when we face the Kings and Stormers.”
