SARugbymag.co.za chats to Hoërskool Monument 1st XV coach Hans Coetzee about the upcoming season.
How many of last year's 1st XV players are still in the squad?
Five.
What has been your main focus in preparing for this season?
A number of the boys underwent operations at the end of last season, so they're working through their rehabilitation programmes. To add to that, all the boys were sent for medical screenings, with much protest, screaming and yelling from their side. They were then given nutrition and exercise programmes according to their individual results.
Who are the key players in your squad?
The ones who've played in the 1st XV previously will be crucial. From our side, there's a lot of expectation of lock Ryno Herbst, having represented the Lions at Craven Week.
What lessons have you learned from last season?
Our conditioning programme was poor, to say the least. But we discussed the matter, called in some people to help and hopefully the conditioning of our players will be better for it in 2014. Our fixtures list was expanded to 25 game as opposed to the 14 of last year. We felt our boys were a bit underplayed.
What will be your toughest game this year?
Well, there's a couple. Not so much a game, but a weekend. At the Kearsney Easter Festival, we play Affies on the Saturday and Grey College on Monday. That's a very unlucky draw we got ourselves.
What goals have you set for the season?
We'd like to keep our status as a top-10 rugby school.
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Q&A with Waterkloof's 1st XV coach
Q&A with Paarl Boys High's 1st XV coach
Q&A with Paarl Gymnasium 1st XV coach
Q&A with Grey College 1st XV coach
Q&A with St Andrew's College 1st XV coach
Q&A with Middelburg's 1st XV coach
Q&A with Nelspruit 1st XV coach
Q&A with Westville Boys' first XV coach
Q&A with Grey High 1st XV coach
Q&A with Kempton Park 1st XV coach
Q&A with Outeniqua 1st XV coach
