STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 14: Ronald Brown during day 1 of Round 2 of the Rugby Africa’s Sevens Solidarity Camp match between South Africa 2 and Kenya at Markotter Stadium on May 14, 2021 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The bubble makes it easier to focus – Blitzboks bolter Brown
Blitzboks newbies Lubabalo Dobela and Ronald Brown are eager to do their bit in the hunt for Olympic gold in Tokyo in a few weeks time.
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 14: Ronald Brown during day 1 of Round 2 of the Rugby Africa’s Sevens Solidarity Camp match between South Africa 2 and Kenya at Markotter Stadium on May 14, 2021 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Ronald Brown is on the verge of making his Blitzboks debut and is likely to feature at the Olympic Games.
Brown fulfils the sweeper role and has been quick to pick up on the Blitzboks work ethic.
The bubble makes it easier to focus
Despite having yet to debut for the Blitzboks, Brown has been around the squad for some time. He appreciates the bio-bubble conditions, which he says help him stay focused.
“I have been in the system for a while now, so what I do know by now is that everyone must contribute to make it work,” said Brown.
“It is easy for me to contribute when you learn from the likes of Justin Geduld and Branco du Preez. The bubble makes it easier to focus and we still learn from each other, on and off the field, so it is great being here.”
Blitzboks tune-up
The Blitzboks will play tune-up matches against the SA All Stars Sevens Academy on Friday, and after last weekend’s round of matches, Brown is confident that they will keep benefitting from the time on the field.
“We are getting stronger and being in the bubble helps us understand each other better off the field as well, and that again helps us on the field,” he concluded.
Lubabalo Dobela is the other uncapped player in the squad and the flyhalf said he knew it would be tough to join the Blitzboks, but he was still surprised by the intensity of preparations.
“The challenge is real, especially the cardio part of that,” Dobela admitted.
“When I got to Stellenbosch, the integration was easy, as the guys really were welcoming, but then training starts and you realise this is a different level.
“Touring with the team has been great, he said.
“You learn so much when on tour with the guys, you can’t really go home after training when in camp like this and you get to know people much closer. That is great and something I really appreciate,” added Dobela.
“In the beginning it was nerves, but it has blossomed into something more now, there is so much to learn from a group like this.”
The camp concludes on Sunday when the team will return to Stellenbosch.
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