What does it take to make a Springbok?

In this series, the Rugby Performance Society looks at what it takes to make a Springbok. Data from Springboks (2003 to 2018) will be used to gain insights into what is needed to play at that level. We will then go further to look at how this can be used to guide player development.

The BokSmart initiative identified the physical characteristics needed to play safely at each level of the sport. Players are required to meet these set standards before progressing to the next level of play and testing must be conducted by official institutions like the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA). 

The pursuit of excellence is often underscored through having better insights into player data, this information can be useful for clubs and academies to have on hand for annual reporting and planning. For more information on the Rugby data insights we encourage you to view our article here.

The ACSM’s (American College of Sports Medicine) normative data is used as a backdrop for comparison in order to gauge if players/athletes meet the scores for various tests, and in our series for Rugby Performance Society, you will receive more information about Periodisation, Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention and Boksmart in the future.

As the Sports Science Institute has a history of training with the national Springbok Rugby team, the facilities are accommodating to Rugby players and teams for relevant testing, training, rehabilitation and programme design.

To get in touch, email Cleo Pokpas here.

Yours in Sports Science,

The Rugby Performance Society