Etzebeth Starts: Springboks Seek Crucial Victory vs. Pumas in Durban

Springboks face Los Pumas in the Rugby Championship

The South African Springboks will face Argentina’s Pumas in the Rugby Championship this Saturday in Durban. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus has kept faith in the team that beat New Zealand two weeks ago. The Boks achieved a resounding victory over the All Blacks with a score of 43-10 in Wellington, keeping the excitement in the Rugby Championship standings with two matchdays remaining. In the tournament so far, the Boks have suffered two defeats in four matches, one against Australia, who leads the standings, and another against the Kiwis in Auckland. Eben Etzebeth and Damian Willemse have been included in the starting team, replacing Lood de Jager and Aphelele Fassi, respectively, compared to the match in Wellington. This means that Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie will form the center pairing.

This is a crucial match for both us and the Pumas, and considering they beat New Zealand and Australia in the first four rounds of the tournament, as well as the British & Irish Lions earlier in the season, there is no doubt that we will give them the respect they deserve.

Rassie Erasmus

Erasmus also highlighted the evolution of Argentina:

They have progressed a lot in the last seasons and have a shrewd coach in Felipe Contepomi, so we know they will give it their all. In addition, they have a strong forward pack and very talented back players, so they represent a threat in all aspects.

Rassie Erasmus

The Boks coach, however, stated that the team is prepared for the challenge:

We’ve had some good training sessions since we got together last Thursday, and the players know what they’ll be up against.

Rassie Erasmus

Erasmus added:

Like us, Argentina is a tremendously proud and passionate team, and they give everything for their country. They know that two good results could put them in a decent position to win the tournament, so it will be a very tough match.

Rassie Erasmus

Regarding the current situation of the tournament:

As things stand, any team could win the title, so we need to take advantage of the scoring opportunities we create and play the full 80 minutes if we want to get the desired result.

Rassie Erasmus

Also, Erasmus commented:

We have received them in Durban on three occasions, and they have won once, and that, combined with their self-confidence, means that the historical results between the teams will be of no importance in the clash.

Rassie Erasmus

Erasmus concluded:

They are also ranked sixth in the world ahead of the Wallabies, so we are not underestimating them.

Rassie Erasmus

Springboks’ Lineup: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.Substitutes: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen