Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has indicated there will be extra attention paid to the Six Nations this season with an eye to the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa next year.
De Klerk, who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury, recently said he expected it to be a very interesting Six Nations tournament.
‘I must admit, at home [in South Africa] I did not spend much time thinking about it but I do now, knowing most of the players and how they play for their clubs.
‘That is especially more so now with two Six Nations [championships] before the Lions tour, there will be a big focus on them. It can give us a lot of background to players and provide a lot of positive information.’
At the Boks, there have been a few recent changes, with Jacques Nienaber stepping into the head coach role, while director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will still be responsible for strategy and results.
‘I know the Bok coaches will be really on to it and at the moment we have a very “internationalised” coaching staff who are always thinking about ways to prepare for certain players and scenarios,’ De Klerk said.
‘They always try and get into the head of opposing players and the Six Nations will give us a lot of information on individuals that we can use.’
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