COVID-19 Dairies Part 31: “Training away from training”

Springbok and Vodacom Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant is making use of his time in lockdown isolation to keep in shape as much as he can, training at home and keeping up with current affairs.

The 24-year-old Knysna-born Gelant is a stalwart for the Pretoria-based Vodacom Bulls and has represented all the South African national teams, as well as being a member of the 2019 Rugby World Cup winning squad.

Gelant, like all South Africans, have been observing the period of isolation in heeding the Government’s call for a national lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

Although staying indoors is challenging, the strong-running fullback is making the most of his time to stay in touch with his coaches and franchise-team mates, and to do what he can to stay in a good condition.

Gelant gave www.springboks.rugby a peek of what his day under lockdown looks like.

“After breakfast in the morning I get ready for my first training exercise, and after my morning workout I like to check the news to get an update on what’s happening in South Africa and world wise,” said Gelant.

“Later on in the afternoon I go into my second session and after that, if there’s some time left in the afternoon I like to switch onto watching some series.”

He added: “In this difficult time we have to find some way to stay in contact with each other, so I use Zoom to connect with a few of our team coaches. The players also chat very regularly during the day on our group.”

“Our conditioning coach at the Vodacom Bulls gave us a very specific programme to follow. So like we say: ‘home away from home’ is now ‘training away from training’. The instructions and the plans are very well organised and specific, and easy for each player to follow.”

Gelant also said it was a great experience to watch the special #RWCReLive programme on SuperSport which was televised on Monday.

Six months after their magnificent Rugby World Cup triumph, Siya Kolisi and some of his Springbok teammates talked viewers through the memorable 2019 RWC final as part of a Freedom Day rugby special on SuperSport.

The participants included Kolisi, several of his RWC winning team-mates, new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, a number of the Springbok management staff as well as broadcasters and South African rugby pundits.

Gelant also reiterated the call by Government for pubic to adhere to lockdown regulations in a bid to flatten the curve of infections.

“Stay home, practise social distancing when you must leave your house and use sanitiser or wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.”