Springbok wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse expected Argentina to play a high-paced running game on Saturday when the teams face off in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship decider, and said they had to be switched on, adaptable, and play for the full 80 minutes to win the match and also bag their first tournament title since 2019.
The Boks may enter the match as favourites with home ground advantage and their five-point buffer at the top of the standings placing them in pole position to claim the title which they have only won four times, but Rugby World Cup-winners Kolbe and Arendse expected an epic battle against Argentina, who will be full of hope that they can win the match with a bonus point and deny the Boks a point, which would see them claim the title for the first time in history.
“They’ve certainly developed as a team over the years, and this year they’ve showed the style of rugby they want to play, so it’s going to be a massive challenge on Saturday,” said Kolbe.
“There’s a lot of confidence and excitement in their team especially after beating Australia, New Zealand and us this season. But that said we need to focus on ourselves and be ready for them because they can create something out of nothing.
“It’s a final this weekend, and it is going to a huge game.”
Arendse, who faced Los Pumas in Santigo del Estero last weekend, also spoke highly of the opposition: “They played really well last week, and we know they like to run with the ball, so we are expecting the same from them this weekend, and are up for it. We definitely want to rectify the things we did wrong last week and hopefully finish the competition on a winning note.”
Kolbe brushed off suggestions that the Springboks may have an edge with the team having played in the last two Rugby World Cup finals, as well as the decider against the British & Irish Lions in 2021.
“They’ll be super hungry and excited about this opportunity, just like us,” said Kolbe.
“We may have played a in few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team, so we must be at our best for the full 80 minutes.”
Kolbe said while the coaches still had to decide on their goal-kicking plans, he was ready to step up to the plate if the need arises during the game.
“I’m comfortable kicking for goals,” said the speedster. “I’ve been working on it throughout the season, and the kickers and Tony (Brown, Bok assistant coach) have been giving me tips.
“One never knows what will happen on the day, so if they need me to kick, I’ll be ready to do so. I’m not sure who will take over the kicking yet, but we back that person 100%.”
Asked what perspective watching the match from South Africa gave him after being in the group of players that were rested for the clash, Kolbe said: “It definitely gave me different pictures because you see things from other angles, so I know what I have to do to contribute to the team.
“Argentina is a phenomenal side, and they have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week also gave me advice, so I know what to expect this week.”
Arendse, who is on the brink of possibly winning his first Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, was thrilled about the possibility of adding this accolade to his Rugby World Cup winners medal.
“Personally, it would be special to win it for the first time and for us a group a whole. We’ve been building toward achieving that, so it would be great,” he said
The Springboks wrapped up their main training detail for the match on Wednesday and will have Thursday off. They will complete their preparations at Friday’s captains run.
Source: SA Rugby
