The Springboks could enter the 2011 Rugby World Cup year with a few 2010 defeats, as the best team might not be selected for all Test matches leading up to the tournament.

Experts at a media workshop in Johannesburg agreed that a number of standout players will have to be carefully managed in the next two years.

Springbok fitness and conditioning coach Neels Liebel and sports scientist Tim Noakes said this would be vital to ensure top players were are fit and in peak condition for the World Cup in New Zealand September 9 in 2011.

Noakes showed a series of graphs on how players used excessively in a season tended to either get injured or under-perform the following year.

Liebel agreed senior players like Victor Matfield, 32, Bakkies Botha, 30, and John Smit, 31, should still be available for the 2011 World Cup - but on condition that they were properly managed.

Noakes warned that John Smit collapsed in 2008 after a strenuous season.

Fourie du Preez, he pointed out, played 1 835 minutes of rugby this season - the equivalent of 24 matches. Du Preez still had three Tests on this year's outgoing tour ahead of him.

"It is highly unlikely that he won't be injured next season," said Noakes.

He pointed out that the form of former Springbok centre Marius Joubert, after a season of 38 matches, went downhill to the extent that he never played for South Africa again.

"Heinrich Brüssow has to be watched," Noakes said, as had Morné Steyn.

Jake White understood

All the players needed a single continuous break of at least eight weeks to recharge.

"Jake White was prepared, on our advice, to rest players for the away Tri-Nations series before the World Cup in 2007," said Noakes.

"The Springboks lost both the away Tri-Nations Tests against Australia and New Zealand, but that gave our players the chance to go into the World Cup rested, motivated, uninjured and in peak physical condition.

"In fact, Jake had 30 completely fit players he could pick from for the final against England."

On page two, Noakes deliver a stern warning...

Sapa

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