Stellenbosch booming with new academy

GARETH DUNCAN writes the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports was unveiled on Wednesday evening, a reported R100-million facility that is set to boost WP and national rugby.

With a host of rugby personalities in attendance (from former to current players to the visiting Saracens squad to Saru and franchise officials) the impressive Stellenbosch Academy of Sports was officially opened. Sports Science Institute of South Africa co-founder Morne du Plessis introduced the triple-story base to guests, which boasts two top-class gyms, a pool, a specialised culinary team, medical and physiotherapy departments and offices for Eye Gym specialist Dr Sherylle Calder (who was part of the management of the 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok team), the Springbok Sevens squad and the Western Province Rugby Institute. There are also hostel rooms available for players.

After a short walk over the Eerste River to the Paul Roos Markotter rugby fields, there is a new indoor training arena with an Astroturf grounding – which can be used in hot or wet weather. Saracens, who are in Cape Town for the week for preparation ahead of their European Cup fixture against Biarritz on Sunday, practised at the indoor arena on Wednesday morning and the squad was highly impressed.

‘It’s amazing. I think I would’ve been a much better player if I could’ve gone to an institution like this,’ hooker Schalk Brits told keo.co.za. ‘It’s great to see Paul Roos, Stellenbosch, WP and the Springbok Sevens all on board in making this work. I can only see more great players being produced in this system. And hopefully more Currie Cups for WP!’

Blitzboks coach Paul Treu, who started his team’s World Series preparation last week, is also very happy with the establishment.

‘This is a world-class facility, one many teams around the world don’t have the privilege of using. This will be a big boost for South African rugby as a whole and for sevens moving towards the 2016 Olympics,’ Treu also told this site. ‘We’ve only been here for a week, but already we are noticing the difference. The players are highly motivated and I believe great success will follow.’

The day started with a trial game between Maties and the Saracens Storm (the English champions’ second team). No Saracens first team players featured in the tourists’ line-up while Maties’ more senior players like scrumhalf Donald Stevens, front rower Schalk Ferreira and flyhalf Andre Kemp received the opportunity to play alongside the club’s fringe players. The home team fielded their Varsity Cup side, with No 8 Tertius Daniller, wing Tythan Adams and new signings scrumhalf Boela Abrahams (EP Kings) and Andre Smith (UJ) all on show.

Despite the scorching heat, the two teams delivered an entertaining match in front of a packed crowd at the Markotter fields, which Maties won 28-26. The hosts trailed 21-14 at half-time as the Saracens Storm had a stronger start to the first half. But the English players struggled in the heat after the break and Maties rallied in two converted tries for victory.

Source: http://www.keo.co.za/2012/01/12/stellenbosch-booming-with-new-academy/

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