Boks have eyes on the prize
TITLE: HISTORY LOOMS LARGE FOR BOKS IN ARGENTINA
South Africa last won the competition in Tri-Nations guise back in 2009.
This weekend’s final Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Salta provides the Springboks the perfect opportunity to score a rare win in the competition in a World Cup year, believes centre Lukhanyo Am.
The Boks have never won the competition since its name changed to the Rugby Championship in 2012 and was last crowned as champions of the southern hemisphere back in 2009 when it was still known as the Tri-Nations.
“Playing Argentina at home is
always a tough game and we have prepared from what we have seen of them in their previous two Tests,” said Am.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to win the Championship, but we don’t want to make too much of that. It’s another Test that will help with the building of the team. The big picture is the World Cup.
“The Test is more important in a World Cup year because you get more time to prepare for the tournament and that’s what we have been focusing on.”
Am said there’s pressure in every Test they play, but said going into this specific game they know what they need to do in order to win the competition after the Wallabies and the All Blacks face off earlier in the day.
“There is pressure, but it is good pressure and the Argentine side is quite a physical side and link up well between forwards and backs, so it will be an exciting game for us to be involved in,” he said.
“There are some good strike runners in the Argentine side but then it’s also not a case of direct opposition and we will direct our defence as a collective.”
Bok backline coach Mzwandile Stick warned it will be a tough game to play Argentina at home.
“I have been part of sides here who have lost here. They have a good balance with backs that complement their forwards,” he said.
Pumas captain and centre Geronimo De la Fuente was singled out by Stick as one of the best centres in world rugby.
“If you look at his current form, he has been playing very well in Super Rugby and having flyhalf Nicholas Sanchez with his great experience, he will bring balance in the way he controls the game. We expect a massive battle up front with their forwards being very physical.”