Monday’s Springbok training session highlighted to me the strength of this Springbok side.

Their practice at Brisbane Boy’s College may have been short and sharp, but they are on a mission and got the job done. They are focused, hungry, humble and definitely not complacent.

This is the happiest Springbok side in a long time. The players have mentioned as such, and it is evident in their demeanour. It makes a huge difference in their on-field performances, but more importantly the psyche.

Springbok forward pack practices lineout

Too often in the past, Springbok sides have lost the mental battle. This side has only gone from strength to strength since winning the World Cup. There are extremely talented individuals. Pace. Power. Strength. This side has all the physical elements necessary to be successful. Mentally as a unit they are so hungry. Not to simply be the best. But to perform to their potential.

At it’s potential this Springbok side is unstoppable. The first 20 minutes against Australia showed that. The remaining 60 minutes highlighted they are not the finished product. Through their training, their focus, their coach, it is plain to see this Springbok side is striving to aim higher. As Peter de Villiers say’s, they aim to win every little battle on the field. Every collision, every breakdown, every scrum, every lineout. Total rugby. It’s what it is all about.

The training session was run very much by the players. Springbok manager Arthrob Petersen told me that he’s so impressed by how motivated this side is, and how they almost run themselves. Everyone knows their job, they don’t need to be told what to do, they simply go out and do it. There was very little words from the coaching staff, the players were shouting encouragement at one another, motivating each other, and showing the urgency of a side that has much to prove and improve.

Sanjay and Springbok manager Arthrob Petersen

From the side of the field, and at the Springbok press conference, Peter de Villiers has shown he is developing into the World’s best coach. He is a character. Enjoy’s a laugh, but has a focus and a plan, to make the Springboks unstoppable. His philosphy is total rugby. Empowering the players. That he has done.

Tactically he knows what he wants. He may be a small guy, but he’s a strong man. Strong enough to know his game plan. Strong enough to let the criticism of the media, the public (most of from Australia and New Zealand), and the style of play pass him by, and focus on what his job dictates. Ensure the Springboks win. Each and every game.

Sanjay and Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers

During the British and Irish Lions series, I mentioned that I thought he got a few things wrong. de Villiers has recognised this. He has learnt, and is learning from his mistakes. He won’t make the same mistakes twice.

There are injury concerns to Bakkies Botha (knee) and Bryan Habana (groin), but it will take more than that to derail a Springbok train that is looking to smash the Wallabies to smithereens this Saturday. They’re taking it one game at a time, and in the process, becoming one of the greatest Springbok sides of all time.

Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana