Eleven Bulls players will meet up with Rassie Erasmus in the first of three alignment camps to prepare for the June internationals.
It is the first camp that Erasmus will hold since taking charge on March 1 and it will focus on aspects such as on-field alignment, strength and conditioning, medicals and rugby fundamentals. No on-field activities are scheduled at this stage.
Erasmus explained that the camps were planned with both the Springbok preparations and the local teams’ Super Rugby commitments in mind.
“As much as we don’t want to disrupt the weekly preparations of our Super Rugby teams it is equally important that we continue with preparations of the Springboks in the background,” said Erasmus.
“The Bulls have a bye on the weekend of 7 April, the Stormers and Lions are not involved the following weekend (14 April) while the Sharks are not in action on 28 April, allowing us the opportunity to assemble in three groups.
“We will be starting as a new group and it is therefore also very important that the Springbok coaches meet, engage and strategise with as many players as possible we have in mind for the forthcoming Tests against Wales and England.”
According to Erasmus, his coaching staff are working closely with the local Super Rugby franchises in the build-up to the international season.
“As part of our constant engagement with the Super Rugby teams, our assistant coaches have been visiting them to help build a strong relationship and also to get a better understanding of how they prepare their teams," he said.
“The PRO14 season is nearing its end and we plan to spend similar time in future with the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs.”
The Springboks start their international commitments with a historical clash against Wales in Washington DC on Saturday, 2 June. They will then return to South Africa to play England in the Incoming Series, which consists of three Tests on consecutive weekends.
Ellis Park in Johannesburg will host the series opener on 9 June, the second Test takes place on 16 June in Bloemfontein, and the final match in the series will be contested a week later at Newlands in Cape Town.
The following Bulls players will attend the first national alignment camp:
Forwards: Lizo Gqoboka (prop), Trevor Nyakane (prop), RG Snyman (lock), Jason Jenkins (lock), Lood de Jager (lock), Roelof Smit (loose forward)
Backs: Embrose Papier (scrum-half), Handre Pollard (fly-half), Jesse Kriel (centre), Travis Ismaiel (wing), Warrick Gelant (full-back)
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