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Boks well prepared - De Villiers

2012-06-08 02:37:02

New Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers insists his team are ready for England, despite their limited preparation time for the first Test in Durban on Saturday

A lot has been made about the short preparation time in the build-up to the game. The squad gathered for the first time on Sunday with most involved in taxing Super Rugby derbies less than 24 hours earlier.

“The mood is good in the camp,” said De Villiers.

“I really think we had a fantastic week preparation-wise.

“We only had three days, but I think the camps that Heyneke [Meyer] had during the year really worked and we’re reaping the rewards now.”

De Villiers, who will play his 73rd international for South Africa, will lead a team that has 458 caps in total.

The Springboks will also be bidding for an eighth successive win over the English, who last won on SA soil in 2000, and De Villiers admitted there would be pressure in representing his country.

“We’re not focussing on the result too much, but more on what we need to do as a team,” said the skipper.

“It’s been quite a hectic week for me personally. It’s a job that comes with a lot more responsibility.

“It’s a massive challenge for us tomorrow [Saturday] and there’ll be a lot of new stuff, but I think once we pass that first hurdle, hopefully it can just get better and better.

“If we perform well, I’m sure we can get a good result.”