The Springboks have had to become comfortable operating out of some uncomfortable spaces as they get ready for a tough season where they have a big target on their back.
Even though the Boks are kicking off their season against a team renowned for festival-type rugby in a non-Test match, pocket rocket Cheslin Kolbe says the world champions’ preparation has been anything but light.
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The Boks are in Cape Town and the media got the opportunity on Monday to quiz Kolbe and attack coach Tony Brown on the Barbarians, as well as on the Tests that lie ahead this year.
Kolbe says the past two weeks in camp, at altitude, has sharpened the Boks for the challenges further down the road.
“It pushes you to the limit where you get into a dark place and just shows each and every one’s character of what it takes to be in those dark moments and how to get out of them and just hang in there,” said the 40-Test flyer. “To be honest, it’s probably been my toughest preseason I’ve been part of since being with the Springboks.”
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Both Kolbe and Brown are adamant they won’t be trying to match the Barbarians with an expansive, high-risk, high-reward type of game, but that they’ll rather stick to their processes and treating it like a Test match.
“For us, we just need to focus and stay in our environment and prepare as well as we can for what’s to come this weekend,” added Kolbe.
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
