World champions spring in for training (From Times Series)

World champions spring in for training

3:13pm Wednesday 28th November 2007 in Local Video News By Kevin Bradford

Pupils at a Barnet school were given a world class PE lesson by the top international rugby team on Tuesday.

The World Cup winning South African side visited Mill Hill School, in The Ridgeway, to hold a training session ahead of their match against the Barbarians at Twickenham this Saturday.

The full team, including star players such as Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, ran through some drills in front of hundreds of pupils and teachers, before briefly taking on the school's rugby first XV in a pass and move game.

Head boy, and captain of the rugby team, Nick Lewis said: "After just seeing the World Cup, it was really impressive to see them come down to our school.

"They are the winning team and so all the players are like idols."

The two-hour visit was arranged by a parent of one of the pupils who is doing the promotion for the Barbarians game.

Springbok lock Bakkies Botha said it was good for the team to mix with young rugby players and fans.

He said: "It's really important to train at the schools, because that's where rugby careers start. We like to come into the community to show people what it is all about to play big rugby."

Graeme Turner, director of rugby at Mill Hill School, said: "It was a great opportunity and a nice treat for the first team who have pretty much had an unbeaten season this year.

"I'm sure all our boys in their individual positions were looking at how they can improve themselves."