The Springboks are under no illusion as to how mediocre they looked in parts of their opening Test of the Castle Rugby Championship against Argentina at Newlands last week, and they are promising a better performance in Saturday’s (9.10pm) Test at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
While the result was never in doubt, what was disappointing was the Springboks’ inability to be clinical and go for the kill when numerous opportunities presented themselves to put the Pumas to the sword.
Springbok hooker and new vice-captain Adriaan Strauss is promising a drastic improvement and if his words ring true then the Boks will return home with a win and that all important bonus point.
“There were many lost opportunities out there last week. One thing we must also take into consideration is that this is still Test rugby and that game was physical and tough. We know we need to improve on our game and I think we will. We’ve had a good week at the training sessions and have worked very hard. We will improve,” Strauss said.
But, Strauss warned, playing in front of a capacity crowd on home soil, the Argentinians will be a different outfit from that which lost 27-6 in Cape Town.
“It is a big mistake, that perception of Argentina being a walkover. They are physical and tough especially on their home ground. We will have to be up for it and we need to drastically improve,” Strauss said.
Strauss, who replaced the injured Bismarck du Plessis in last Saturday’s Test, believes the Springboks will need to gain dominance in the collision, scrums and at the breakdown if they are to dictate proceedings.
“I think the physical aspect will be crucial. Last week we did well in the drives and they also did well, the scrums were tough and they did well at ruck time. They were also physical in the tackle situations and on the floor they were good. We need to clean up our act at ruck time and make a step up on physicality,” Strauss said.
It is ironic that Strauss will return to Mendoza to play in the stadium where the then SA Under-21 team won the IRB Under-21 Rugby Championship. In that match, Strauss took the field in the final against New Zealand because of an injury, which as is now, had ruled Du Plessis out of the line-up.
Just like Strauss did in 2005, the Cheetahs captain is going to make the best of this rare starting opportunity in the Springbok team and make the number two jersey his own.
“I’ve been on the fringes since I played in my first Test in 2008,” Strauss said.
“It is a great honour to be in starting line-up.
“It is tough losing Bismarck because he is an outstanding player, but… I need to prove a point every single week.”
“I can never say that I deserve a place in the team, it is a great honour to get the opportunity to play for the Springboks,” Strauss said. – Independent on Saturday