The Springboks secured an impressive 24-13 victory over Argentina following a strong second half showing in Buenos Aires on Saturday evening.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Bongi Mbonambi said the team were ready for what is going to be a brutal battle against the Pumas at Estadio Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday in the first of three Rugby World Cup warm-up games.
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will captain the national team for first time on Saturday when he leads a new-look combination against Argentina in Buenos Aires in the first of three Rugby World Cup warm-up games. The team shows 13 changes to the starting line-up, while the 23 includes talented prop Gerhard Steenekamp, who could make his Springbok debut.
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 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.
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.
New Zealand made a big statement in a World Cup year following their 35-20 win over South Africa in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth look set to play against New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday despite the death of his father.