Bok hugs are just different, says Siya on Lood return

THE Springboks are in high spirits ahead of the first international match of the season against the Barbarians in Cape Town next Saturday.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Captain Siya Kolisi said on Wednesday that although they are not looking too far ahead into the international season, the players are happy to be back in camp and the 'family' environment of the national set-up.

It's their second week together as the world champions fine-tune their preparations for the friendly against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium, ahead of double Tests against Italy and a once-off encounter versus Georgia in July.

According to Kolisi, they have been sweating on the training field as they look to take in as much as possible from their coaches before they shift to the match-day week.

"Training is as hard as games... sometimes, it's even harder," Kolisi said about being drilled by the Bok coaches.