Boks hope to end 10 years of pain

MOSTERT: FOR ME AND THE TEAM, IT WOULD BE A FIRST

Springboks a whisker away from winning the title.

It has been such a long time since the Springboks last won the Rugby Championship, only two players in the current team know what it’s like to lift the title. Prop Beast Mtawarira, a veteran of 109 Tests, and replacement back Frans Steyn, who has played 58 Tests, were both part of the team that last won the trophy in 2009, when the competition was known as the Tri-Nations.

Lock Franco Mostert said it had been a talking point ahead of today’s series decider against Argentina in Salta.

“For me personally and for the team, it would be a first because

most of us have never been in a team to win the Championship,” Mostert said.

“So that’s one of our goals, but for the team in general it’s more of a goal to keep growing.”

The spirit in the side was at an all-time high, Mostert felt, with players pushing each other for starting positions in the build-up to the World Cup.

After beating Australia, the Boks have drawn against New Zealand, and their recent form has built confidence within the squad.

“To have played in New Zealand and being able to hold them to a draw, it’s always a good achievement,” he said.

“If you can give them a good run for their money it always helps to lift the team spirit.”

Mostert, who has played 30 Tests for the national side, expects a typically physical clash against Argentina.

“Their forwards are the driving force behind the team and hopefully we can give a good game to the fans,” he said.

The Pumas beat the Boks in Argentina last year, and Mostert said they recalled how the hosts had set their standards early in that game, kept the pressure on and did not really give the tourists a chance to come back.

“Hopefully this year we can produce a better performance and do what we set out to do, but we know it’s going to be tough. They are a good side but hopefully we can just enjoy it.”

Their forwards are the driving force behind the team and hopefully we can give a good game to the fans.

Franco Mostert Springbok lock