The South African Springboks are determined to deliver a strong performance when they face Argentina in a crucial 2024 Castle Lager Rugby Championship showdown at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on Saturday.
Assistant coach Daan Human emphasized that the team owed it to their country and themselves to bounce back after last weekend’s heartbreaking 29-28 defeat to Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero.
This weekend’s Test match will decide the championship winner, with South Africa currently leading the log on 19 points, five ahead of Argentina.
The Springboks need just one point from the match to secure their first Castle Lager Rugby Championship title since 2019. However, they could also win the title if Argentina fails to secure a bonus point, even in the event of a Pumas victory.
The only scenario in which Argentina can claim their first-ever title is if they win with a try-scoring bonus point while preventing South Africa from earning a single point.
“It’s special to be here (in Nelspruit) and back in South Africa,” said Human.
“We know the whole country is behind us, and we owe it to them and ourselves to bounce back strongly. Hopefully, we can deliver a good performance that earns us the win and the Rugby Championship.”
Reflecting on last weekend’s loss, Human acknowledged that while the team showed great effort, they still had plenty to work on.
“Obviously, we are still very disappointed with the result last week,” he admitted. “It was the first time some of our players experienced playing in Argentina, and hopefully, they learned from that. There was no lack of effort from the team, but we have a lot to improve on.”
Human also credited Argentina’s impressive form, noting that Los Pumas have already defeated all three of their Rugby Championship opponents—South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia—this season.
“I think this is the first time they’ve beaten all three teams in the same season, and they’ll take confidence from that, so we know what lies ahead.”
Looking ahead to the match, Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse voiced his full support for replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok, who missed a late penalty that could have secured a win last weekend. Hendrikse emphasized that the team’s loss wasn’t solely due to the missed kick.
“I’ve come a long way with Manie, and just like the rest of the team, we back him 100%,” said Hendrikse. “The game should not have come down to one kick, as we missed several scoring opportunities.”
Saturday’s match will also be a historic one for Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, who is set to become the most-capped Springbok player of all time. After matching Victor Matfield’s record of 127 caps, Etzebeth will surpass the legendary lock’s milestone this weekend.
“He’s a great person, a real team man, and always willing to learn,” said Human. “Personally, if I think of a true Springbok, Eben is that person.” Hendrikse echoed the sentiment, noting the personal significance of the milestone. “It’s a massive achievement. I remember watching him play as an 11-year-old, so I’m incredibly proud of him.”
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to announce his matchday squad on Tuesday, with the team aiming to cap off the tournament with a title-winning performance on home soil.
The stage is set for a thrilling finale, with the Springboks looking to bounce back, reward their fans, and reclaim the Rugby Championship title.
Source: SA Rugby
