Knives out for Komphela

Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth believes they have to cross a mental barrier in the Rugby Championship in Salta against Argentina this weekend.

The Boks are still unbeaten this year after four Tests and started the Rugby Championship on a winning note by beating the Pumas 37-15 in Port Elizabeth despite not firing on all cylinders.

The squad are set to fly out to Sao Paulo this morning en route to Buenos Aires after finalising their preparations yesterday.

“We must try and take some of this momentum into this weekend’s game,” said Etzebeth, who will captain the Boks a third straight time this weekend.

“We need to change the mindset that away matches are tough and try to stay positive.”

The Boks lost 26-24 to the Pumas in the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta last year and have in general found the going tough on Puma soil, but a win could go a long way in putting the heat on the All Blacks.

New Zealand opened their campaign with a 54-34 win over Australia, scoring eight tries to four, and lead the table on five points with South Africa just a point behind on four, but with a better points difference of 22 against the 20 by New Zealand.

Coach Allister Coetzee said because of the limited time, there shouldn’t be many changes in the team due to be announced tomorrow morning (Argentina time).

The only certain change will come at scrumhalf where Ross Cronje stayed behind with a calf injury and will be replaced by Francois Hougaard with Rudy Paige coming onto the bench.

“Most of the work will be done here in South Africa and hopefully that will freshen us up for this weekend’s return match in Salta,” said Coetzee.

After this weekend’s game, the Boks’ next stop is against Australia in Perth on September 9, but they will first return from Salta and enjoy their bye before departing for Australia next weekend.

Also see Page 35