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But, warns coach John Plumtree, believing all the good things people are saying could also amount to the wrong kind of distraction and become counter-productive to the aims and goals of the team.
“I've been in this situation heaps of times in my coaching career and not got the ultimate prize at the end,” he explains, “and our greatest challenge is to make sure we don't get distracted by outside influences, about believing what's written in the press.”
This is not so much an issue for the older, more experienced players who have been there and done that and have the necessary mental skills to remain unaffected by all the nice things being said. But it can be problematic for some of the youngsters who find themselves in this situation for the first time. The focus on the job at hand – says Plumtree – is the ultimate goal here.
Western Province, before playing The Sharks, enjoyed an unbeaten run of six matches. They have now lost the last two (to The Sharks and Free State over the past weekend) and suddenly all the hype about them has been premature and even destructive.
“People are tapping us on the backs too early and those things distract young players and can cost you points,” explains Plumtree. “Western Province possibly got derailed by their own press and our players have been warned that if they get distracted and come up with poor performances, they will pay with selection. This is professional sport and we do have choices – players are paid to do a job and we're pretty determined to refocus after each performance.
“Everyone writes teams up, then shoots them down, it is only the mature heads that don't get distracted by that, the younger ones can't help themselves. You're paying a price for success. We've won nothing yet.
“The game is such a great leveller, just when you're riding the crest of a wave, you can get shot down and fall off and it could be a while before you catch another big one as opposition teams work you out. Management teams around the country are all trying to work us out and the buffer of seven log points isn't enough.”
He adds that the difference between the top six sides is minimal and any team can come undone by any other thanks to an off-day – this last weekend proved that, and more. “You can add in the Pumas who beat the Bulls on the weekend, there is not a big difference in this tournament and if you're off mentally by a couple of percent per individual, you're going to get hurt.
“We have to focus on process and performances and control the things we can – preparation and how mentally up for games we get. This is a tough competition.”
A lot has been said and written about young Patrick Lambie (pictured). August's Absa Player of the Month and the toast of the town, only good press has followed him around, but, as Plumtree warns, the distractions can be detrimental to young players.
“A player's background and grounding is important,” says Plumtree of the 19 year old's handling of a potentially difficult time in his life. “Pat fortunately comes from a rugby background, his relatives will be pretty much onto him about staying grounded. Not all players have that luxury, the sideshows with young talent in terms of what the press and different media want from them is pretty huge.
“People are put on a pedestal and then shot down and it's important they have support and that the people around them can give them that grounding. They are exposed to a lot early on and dealing with success can be difficult.”
