Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber likened his team’s hard-fought 22-21 Castle Lager Rugby Championship victory over Argentina on Saturday to a typical Rugby World Cup arm wrestle.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a squad of 26 players for the trip to Buenos Aires for their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up game on Saturday, 5 August, with several players who did not feature against the Pumas at Emirates Airline Park, boarding the airplane early on Sunday morning.
Springbok captain Duane Vermeulen and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick stressed the importance of closing off the home leg of their 2023 season on a high note before the team enters their Rugby World Cup warm-up games and said a victory would be special for many reasons.
A large group of players – including seven who are uncapped at senior international level – will assemble in Stellenbosch from Friday as Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen gets the ball rolling for their WXV preparation with an alignment camp at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead a new-look Bok team in their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday in what could be the competition decider depending on the result between New Zealand and Australia in Melbourne.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said his team were aligned and refocussed in anticipation of their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Pumas in Johannesburg on Saturday, 29 July, following a thorough debrief of the match against New Zealand and a handful of training sessions in Pretoria in the last two days.
Springboks duo Eben Etzebeth and Jaden Hendrikse will be available for South Africa Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina on July 29.
The Springbok squad will assemble in Pretoria to resume their preparations for their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday, 29 July, after a well-deserved two-day rest following their journey back from New Zealand.
Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams is confident that South Africa can build from their defeat against the All Blacks as they look to bounce back against Argentina in their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber lamented his team’s hesitant start in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test that paved the way to a 35-20 defeat in Auckland.