The Springboks emphasised the importance of treating Argentina with the respect they deserve and sticking to their own systems as they prepare to line up against their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title contenders in Santiago del Estero on Saturday, where victory for South Africa will see them clinch the title for the first time since 2019, with a match in hand in Nelspruit next week.
Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Salmaan Moerat fronted the media on Friday on the eve of the match at Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades after the team had made the journey from Buenos Aires to Santiago del Estero on Wednesday night. They visited the stadium for the first time for their captains run on Friday afternoon.
Both Stick and Moerat expected a gruelling battle, with the Bok assistant coach saying that Argentina are a quality side under former Puma inside back Felipe Contepomi as their head coach.
“He really knows what buttons to press with the players,” said Stick.
“He is a legend of the game over here, and he’s made them a dangerous side, which one can see from their results, so if we don’t pitch up with the right mindset physically and mentally, they will punish us.
“That said, we are playing at a new stadium and in a new city, and we are looking forward to the challenge. We have our goals as a team, and the two extra days in Stellenbosch allowed us to implement a few things that we want to bring into the game.”
Stick added: “One thing’s for certain, it will take a 23-man effort to win the match because they have selected a good team with a bench that can also bring a massive impact.”
Moerat, who will face Argentina for the first time in his 10th Test for South Africa, spoke equally highly of the opposition.
“They are a great side and they have a good identity, but that said, there’s also another milestone we can achieve this weekend (winning six matches in a row for the first time ever in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship),” said Moerat.
“So, although our focus is on sticking to our systems and delivering a top quality performance, we believe if we do that correctly, hopefully we can come away with the desired result.
“We are ready for what they’ll bring, and we see this as a massive occasion for the team.”
Moerat was happy with the team’s preparation for the clash: “Our preparation has been good. We had two days in Stellenbosch, which gave us a little bit of leeway and a good three days in Buenos Aires before travelling to Santiago del Estero on Wednesday night, so we had good time to settle in here before our captains run, and we’re excited about the challenge ahead.”
Moerat also made a special mention of fellow lock Eben Etzebeth, who will match Victor Matfield’s record as the most capped Springbok player of all time with 127 Test caps when he takes the field on Saturday, and said he was an inspiration to the entire team and especially the younger players.
“When I started playing at Western Province, Eben was there and I had the pleasure of playing a few games with him,” said Moerat. “The record he will match this weekend is a testament to the player he is on and off the field.
“What has really stood out for me is his ability to perform consistently, and that really inspires us as the younger players because it’s something we can really learn from.”
With the passionate support for the team from back home, Stick said South Africa’s rugby faithful will continue to be a big driving force for the team this weekend.
“We want to keep growing as a team and to ensure that we can do our bit to leave the country in a better place,” said Stick. “It’s massive motivation for us for what the team does for the country.
“In fact, there are many similarities between the SA and Argentina teams and their people, and the passion the sides play with, so we know it’s going to be a tough grind, and it’s vital that we give them the respect they deserve.
“They’ve had good results this season and they even beat New Zealand away from home, so if we don’t treat them with respect it could be a long day for us. That said, if we stick to our systems, hopefully the result will follow.”
The match kicks off at 23h10 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
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