Morne van den Berg: Bok Coaches Gave Me Confidence to Shine!
Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg says the Springbok setup has instilled in him the confidence to truly “be myself” on the rugby field. He's set to feature on the bench for the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Durban this Saturday, marking only his fourth Test cap. His journey includes a debut against Portugal in Bloemfontein last year, a start against the Wallabies in Perth, and two tries in his sole appearance this season against Italy at Loftus.
Van den Berg: A Privilege to Learn and Grow
“It’s very exciting. It’s a massive privilege to be a part of it and learn more every day,” Van den Berg said, reflecting on his experience within the Bok system. He emphasizes the crucial role of the belief shown in him by Rassie Erasmus and the entire coaching staff.
“It gives a lot of confidence. If the coaches back you and make you believe, and I know I’ve been given everything to be the best player I can be, then who am I to doubt myself? It’s a huge motivator and gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and be myself on Saturday.”
Sacrifices and Growth
Van den Berg has faced his share of waiting, often missing crucial moments with the Lions – including the last two Currie Cup finals – due to Bok call-ups. Despite not always getting game time, he believes he's consistently developed his game within the Springbok environment. He acknowledges the impact of training sessions, meetings, and learnings, which he believes contribute significantly to his growth as a player.
“This system allows you to grow and I 100% believe that the training sessions, meetings and learnings make me a better player. All three of the other scrumhalves – Faf [de Klerk], Cobus [Reinach] and Grant [Williams] – have been amazing the last two years. They’re World Cup winners and they all share so much. I’m trying to be a sponge and learn from them, but also add what I can bring.”
Erasmus Backs Van den Berg
Erasmus confirmed that Van den Berg truly deserves his opportunity this Saturday, recognizing the sacrifices he's made. He highlighted the missed Currie Cup final appearances due to Bok commitments. Rassie emphasized that Van den Berg's hard work and dedication have earned him this chance to shine.
“Sometimes it’s worth the wait. He’s been practising hard, he’s missed out on some…