Forty players assembled in Stellenbosch for a two-day camp and Koen thanked SA Rugby for arranging and the provincial unions for allowing their players to attend.

“It was important for us to get a wider group together to align on our plans for the WXV 2, which is a massive tournament for our future ambitions,” said Koen.

“I really want to thank the unions for assisting us in this regard. Their collaboration is crucial to us, so I am really grateful for that.

“We had two very good days. The purpose was to revisit the things we worked on during our previous two campaigns and also for us as coaches to give the players some drills to take home and work on.”

Koen said the introduction of some new players was also a positive: “It was good for the squad to connect again after our last campaign, but also for the new players to be introduced. I want to compliment the squad for the way they welcomed the nine new players, who slotted in very well. They responded very well to the new environment and overall, the camp was a very positive experience.”

With the Women’s Premier Division moving towards the playoffs during the second half of August, the players not involved in those matches will return to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport in two weeks’ time.

The final group for the WXV tournament will assemble in Potchefstroom on 4 September.