Rugby
Boks not expecting a win on a silver platter─── MORGAN PIEK 07:38 Tue, 17 Sep 2024
“For us as a team, we’re trying to focus on this game this week and to really work hard to physically match them. Because they will be coming out and they’ll be really desperate to get a win and to be in contention for the Rugby Championship.”
The Springboks are extra motivated heading into this weekend’s Rugby Championship Test against the Pumas in Argentina.
The World Champions arrived in Buenos Aires on the weekend for the match which could see them winning the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.
The Pumas, in turn, will be very motivated as well following wins against the All Blacks and the Wallabies and they too are in the running for a first-ever title in the competition.
The Springbok loose-forward, Kwagga Smith, told OFM Sport that all their focus is on Saturday.
“For us as a team it is definitely a huge opportunity to win the Rugby Championship,” said Smith.
“But we can’t look too far ahead - it’s going to be a really tough game this weekend. Argentina is also in the running to win the competition for the first time. They will be really desperate coming out, wanting to get five points here in Argentina to make it a final next week in Nelspruit.
“For us as a team, we’re trying to focus on this game this week and to really work hard to physically match them. Because they will be coming out and they’ll be really desperate to get a win and to be in contention for the Rugby Championship.”
Smith, who scored a try against the All Blacks in Johannesburg and against the Wallabies in Brisbane, added that the Argentines have already proven that they can trade blows with stronger teams and win.
Kwagga Smith. Picture: X
“This Argentine team has proven that they can beat any side with their victories against Australia and New Zealand. So we certainly cannot go out there with the mindset that we can just pitch up and win.”
Saturday’s Test between the Los Pumas and Springboks at Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades in Santiago del Estero kicks off at 23:00.
Springbok squad in Argentina:
Props – Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Hookers – Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx
Locks – Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortjé
Loose-forwards – Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Scrumhalves – Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Morné van den Berg
Flyhalves – Manie Libbok, Handré Pollard
Centres – Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel
Outside backs – Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie
