D-day for Boks

Some players will experience disappointment while others will celebrate selection for the global showpiece which will be the culmination of years of hard work.

With that in mind, Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan said the camp has been buzzing with an air of nervous excitement while the squad continued to put in the hard graft on the training pitch.

“I think everybody is a bit nervous. Ever since I’ve been part of the Springboks, it’s such a massive privilege to be part of it. You see firstly what it means to a nation then secondly what it means to you as an individual,” van Graan said.

“To be part of this, working with in my opinion some of the best players in the world and to see what they put in day in and day out doing all the extras, we want to give hope.”

“Within the team, we are dream-givers not dream takers and obviously we will be very happy for the guys that will be selected and it’s going to be sad for the guys who are not going to be in. But that is life, that is sport and we’ve discussed that within the squad.”

“In every World Cup there are injuries and you need not only 31, you need a big squad of players.”

While some of the group will watch their teammates from South African soil, Van Graan said an amazing bond had been formed with all those who have been part of the World Cup preparations.

“We’ve grown a hell of a lot over the past four years and this year, ever since we played against the World XV, I think we’ve grown very tight as a group of players, management and a squad.” 

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