Boks on red alert in big Salta battle
WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR A HUGE ONSLAUGHT South Africa to ditch their traditional Green and Gold strip.
Normally tearaway Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel would associate a red rugby jersey with his Lions outfit, but this weekend it will be different in Salta.
This year signals the 25-year anniversary of unity in South African Rugby and the Boks will swap their green jersey for a red one to mark the occasion in the return match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina.
“Argentina is a proud rugby nation and will be determined to reverse the result in Port Elizabeth when the two teams meet again in Salta on Saturday,” said Kriel.
Although the Boks are unbeaten this year having won all four of their Tests, they are well aware sterner challenges await after the Salta trip with away Tests against the Wallabies and the impressive All Blacks on the diary.
“They will be very determined and physical in front of their own fans, so we have to be prepared for a huge onslaught,” said Kriel.
“The smaller, harder field in Salta will make no difference to our approach.”
Kriel, who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday, starred last weekend in his ninth Test and said they are bracing themselves for a tough challenge in Salta.
“We have to be mentally prepared and you cannot let the conditions, the venue or anything else get into your head,” he said.
Meanwhile, team doctor Konrad von Hagen said scrumhalf Ross Cronje will continue his recovery at the Golden Lions after he sustained an ankle injury last Saturday.
Cronje will not travel with the squad to Argentina tomorrow and has been replaced by Jano Vermaak of Western Province.
“We sent Ross for a scan, which showed ligament tear,” said Von Hagen.
“We decided it would be better for him to recover at his province in Johannesburg.”