Veteran playmaker Rosko Specman says his approach with the younger Blitzboks is to put them in “uncomfortable positions” in a bid to win the 2024 World Sevens Series.
Writing for Rapport, Specman, who returned to SA sevens setup this season, emphasises the importance of a united mindset in the squad while helping to groom the next generation.
He acknowledges the influence of coaches Sandile ‘Stix’ Ngcobo and Philip Snyman on the team culture, yet notes the absence of characters compared to his previous stint with the Blitzboks.
The 34-year-old concludes by expressing his dedication to the upcoming Vancouver stop in the series.
“Some people might say I’m a migrant, but I see myself as the icing on the cake. Whenever a team needs a little flair, they call and I provide the ‘Speckmagic’,” Specman writes. “The main goal is to win the World Sevens Series again and get the Blitzbok jersey in the No 1 position.
“As for my approach with the younger players, I like to put them in uncomfortable positions. We like to talk about being in dark places, because once you get into that dark space on the field, it’s second nature to you.
“There are a lot of young guys in our group and I don’t think they would have survived if [former] coach Paul Treu was still there. He was hard on the youngsters and the message was that they must master everything because it was difficult to be selected.
“At the time, the big characters in the team were Chris Dry and Frankie Horne. There aren’t that many characters now with my second turn at the sevens, but each one has a unique personality.”
Specman also shares his rooming experience with speedster Shilton van Wyk, encouraging him to open up more: “When we’re in our beds ready for bed I say, ‘Night, Shilton’, and he has to reply, ‘Night, Magic’.”
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
The post ‘Speckmagic’ cracks the whip appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
