TEAM OUT TO KEEP UNBEATEN RECORD: EDITORIAL COMMENT

THOUGH they romped to a convincing 3-0 series victory over France earlier this season, the jury is still out as to whether the Springboks are ready to start climbing back up the world rankings.

The clean sweep against the French was certainly a step in the right direction, but much tougher challenges lie ahead for the Boks when they will be pitted against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the coming months.

First up for the Boks, in the Rugby Championship, is a mouth-watering showdown against the Pumas at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow.

Though the French had their moments, they never appeared to have the firepower to overwhelm a Bok side determined to overcome the disappointment of last year.

If the Springboks are to regain the heady heights that saw them win two World cups, much hard work lies ahead of coach Allister Coetzee and his players.

Despite whipping the French, the Boks are still languishing in fifth place on the rankings behind pace-setters New Zealand, England, Ireland and Australia.

After his fiery baptism into the hot seat, Coetzee knows that Bok supporters unrealistically expect his team to win every time they step onto a rugby field.

The series win over France can be put into some perspective by the fact that the French are ranked a lowly eighth and Argentina are even lower down the ladder at ninth.

Now Coetzee will be desperate to get his campaign off to a winning start against a Pumas side that beat the Boks last season.

After his success against the Tricolors, Coetzee said his team had upped their game but that their execution needed to be better.

A 46 000 sellout crowd is expected tomorrow and Coetzee has promised an all-out effort as the Boks bid to remain unbeaten this season.

In the build-up to tomorrow’s clash, Coetzee pointed out that the challenges facing his team in the championship would be completely different to those encountered against the French.

Most fans will be reserving their judgment on the resurgence of the Springboks until the championship has run its course.