Africa-Press – South-Africa. Bulls assistant coach Nollis Marais has become the latest voice in the local rugby fraternity to highlight the “challenge” of South African teams’ exhausting and arguably unsustainable travelling arrangements between Africa and Europe.
However, the genial breakdown guru – who was also the Bulls’ head coach in Super Rugby between 2016 and 2017 – adopts a pragmatic mindset in stating that his charges are at least becoming more used to it.
The Bulls are at home on Saturday when they take on Exeter in a European Champions Cup fixture before departing for France to play Lyon and then moving on to Wales take on the Scarlets in the URC.
Horror stories have emerged over the course of the campaign, with SA sides now considered lucky if they can complete a trip in 24 hours.
Last week, the Stormers had to travel in three groups and took 40 hours to reach Glasgow for their URC fixture.
The hectic amount of time spent on planes and at airports are down to all the local franchises having to fly via Doha following SA Rugby’s pre-season sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways, which saves the cash-strapped federation at least a quarter on flight costs.
The local governing body was forced to explore any viable option after the Covid-19 pandemic led to ticket prices skyrocketing.
A direct flight to London in economy class averages R14 000 per person, which increases to about R45 000 if you’re looking to provide the tall men with some legroom in business class.
In accordance with SA Rugby’s participation agreement, they’ll only start sharing in the URC’s revenue in 2024.
“It’s difficult. If you travel 30 hours, stay 3 days and then fly 30 hours again, it’s basically 4 days of just travelling,” Marais said pitch-side on Thursday, where the Bulls were labouring in a hot Pretoria sun.
“You have to work in recovery as well. Let’s say you get back at 2pm on a Sunday, you’re back on the field the Monday training again. We’re talking of second rowers and flankers sitting with those tall legs stuck in economy class.”
Those realities render the Bulls’ victory against the Dragons in Newport – during a week where director of rugby Jake White became sick enough to require emergency surgery upon the team’s return – particularly noteworthy.
“Well done to the guys for winning away from home,” said Marais.
“It took us 26 hours to get there and we played in rainy conditions. I believe we played well, a win away from home is always a good one. It just boosts the confidence, especially being home now as well.”
And that almost by default makes one more optimistic about having to repeat the whole exercise again.
“Look, we knew this was going to be a challenge, playing a game in SA and then going overseas the next week. The positive is that we’re mentally prepared for that prospect now, a victory definitely helps,” said Marais.
“Dobbo [John Dobson] spoke about it too recently, so it’s obviously a talking point. At least we now know what lies ahead.”
Kick-off at Loftus this weekend is at 19:30.
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