The Springboks will have to be at their best against Argentina if they’re to win Saturday’s Test match at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Ester and clinch the Rugby Championship title.
Having won all of their games so far in the competition this year, the Boks will be the bookies’ favourites to get the job done, but assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows it won’t be an easy game.
Argentina did, after all, beat the All Blacks in Wellington, and scored 67 points against the Wallabies two weeks ago.
For Stick, Argentina’s impressive performances this year have been down to new coach Felipe Contepomi’s guidance of the side.
“Contepomi knows the right buttons to press when it comes to their players. He’s an Argentinian legend in the game and we know they’re very, very passionate people and they take pride in what they do,” Stick told journalists on Friday.
“He is getting the right balance to get the best out of them. Not only just emotionally, tactically, the way they are coached and the way they’re playing the’re a very dangerous side. They are a very good side and it shows if you look at their results,” said Stick.
“On a day when you’re not at your best, they will punish you. To win away from home against the All Blacks, that’s a massive achievement for them.
Stick’s sentiment was shared by Salmaan Moerat, who will captain the side in Siya Kolisi’s absence on Saturday. For the skipper, it was about making sure that they execute their plans on the day.
“It’s the first time that both teams are in the running for the Rugby Championship, so that says a lot. And we know they’ll be desperate. They’re a quality side, well coached side with a good identity and they know what they want to do,” said Moerat.
“For us, it’s to really play well and get the performance. If we do what we’ve trained all week and stick to plan, I think it will be a good day. We are ready for them. We are weary of what they can bring and it’s going to be a massive occasion.”
Saturday’s Test will also see Kolisi spending the game up in the coach’s box, and Stick explained the reasoning behind it.
“It’s important for players to understand how we as coaches operate, and why we make certain decisions in the coach’s box,” said Stick.
“You saw during the World Cup when Duane [Vermeulen] spent some time in the coach’s box, and now he’s one of the guys we relay messages to on the field. He understands how we make decisions. It’s important for Siya to also get that experience as he’s an important part in our system.”
IOL Sport