Despite spending more than 12 hours travelling from Cape Town to Buenos Aires, via Johannesburg, Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers (and the rest of the squad) was still in a cheerful mood upon the team’s arrival in the Argentinian capital on Sunday night.
After a brief stop-over in Buenos Aires, the Boks then travelled to the picturesque city of Mendoza yesterday, nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range, where they will prepare for this Saturday’s second Test against the Pumas.
“The travel went well and we are happy to be in Argentina,” De Villiers said.
“The travel shouldn’t be an issue because both teams have had to make the same journey.
“I’ve been to Argentina a couple of times, but I’ve never been to Mendoza.
“Of the last Springbok team that played in Argentina in 2005, I think it’s only Bryan (Habana) and I that are left.
“So we’re all really excited about this next Test.”
Speaking of Habana, it was a worrying sight to see the in-form winger wearing a moonboot and walking with crutches after injuring his ankle in the opening Rugby Championship Test at the weekend, won comfortably by the Springboks 27-6 at Newlands.
The fact Habana still travelled with the team is a clear indication that the medical staff believe there is a chance he will be able to play this weekend, but the speedster is certainly in a race against time to be fully fit for this vital clash with the Pumas.
With the Boks already without influential injured players such as Bismarck du Plessis and JP Pietersen, De Villiers said it would be crucial for the team to just focus on what they could control this week.
“I think it was an average performance from us first-up on Saturday.
“Although there were some positives, there is definitely a lot for us to work on. We have to keep on improving.
“Having said that, our set-phases were pretty good, and the scrums, line-outs and kick-offs generally went well.
“At stages we put some good phases together and we need to build on that.
“Defensively we didn’t let them score a try, which was encouraging as well.
“We just need to put it all together into 80 minutes of rugby.” De Villiers said he also expected Argentina to be much-improved in the second Test, particularly playing in front of their home fans.
“It will be the first game at home for the Pumas, so they will be out to prove a point.
“They’ll be emotionally and mentally up for it, so we’re preparing for a massive battle on Saturday.
“They were competitive throughout that first Test and restricted us to just three tries.
“They’re a quality side and I’m sure they’ll just grow and get better as this competition goes on.”
However, the Bok skipper admitted Saturday’s encounter had at least provided them with some additional insights into their opponents, who they knew very little about heading into the Cape Town clash.
“Every team in international rugby brings their own flavour to the game.
Argentina typically have big ball-carrying forwards, they keep it close and have a very good flyhalf in Juan Martin Hernandez.
“They also have the ability to take the ball wide, so we’ll be preparing for anything and everything.”