{
  "id": 1461600,
  "title": "Kitshoff reveals Bok ‘week from hell’ ahead of All Blacks Tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/kitshoff-reveals-bok-week-from-hell-ahead-of-all-blacks-tests",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T10:07:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/kitshoff-reveals-bok-week-from-hell-ahead-of-all-blacks-tests/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Steven Kitshoff has detailed the grueling training regimen that the Springbok squad underwent to prepare for their upcoming Test match against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. With most of the team having already traveled to Argentina, a group of players remained in South Africa to continue their preparation. According to Kitshoff, these players were not idle during their time in South Africa. Instead, they engaged in rigorous live rugby sessions, including live drills, scrummaging, tackling drills, and scenario drills, for around 40 to 45 minutes, usually once or twice a week. These sessions aimed to build both conditioning and rugby skills in the players, ensuring they would be match-ready upon the All Blacks' arrival. Former Bok prop Kitshoff revealed this information on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. The intensity of this preparation was further emphasized by Malcolm Marx, an 83-Test Springbok veteran, who mentioned that the week had been the \"week from hell\" for the players left behind. Marx stated that the remaining players endured five consecutive days of intense training, pushing themselves to the limit.",
  "summary": "The Springboks and All Blacks face off in four Tests in the coming weeks.",
  "key_points": [
    "Springbok squad trained intensively in South Africa ahead of All Blacks Tests.",
    "Players engaged in live rugby drills, scrummaging, tackling, and scenario drills.",
    "Former prop Malcolm Marx described week as \"the week from hell\" for remaining players."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}