Home » WATCH Highlights of ‘Special’ Springboks’ Win Against Argentina
WATCH Highlights of ‘Special’ Springboks’ Win Against Argentina
If you missed Saturday’s match where South Africa beat Argentina 32-12 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, here are some of the highlights below… The Springboks built on an encouraging first half in which they held a 21-9 lead over Los Pumas to outscore the visitors three tries to none. This followed on a triumphant […]
Elton Jantjies was in fine form and slotted five penalty goals and a conversion to keep the score-board ticking over, while Jasper Wiese was named Man of the Match after a stellar performance in the No 8 jersey. Jantjies said:
“It was massive for us to get the result and a bonus point in the first match. Argentina are a well-coached team, and they play with a lot of emotion.
“We knew what their plan was, and they tried to implement it throughout the match, but we did well to implement our plan and to get the result as well.”
The experienced flyhalf added: “It was also good to see a few guys get a chance to play, and players like Joseph Dweba (hooker) and Jaden (Hendrikse, scrumhalf) making their debuts.
“This is a special team…”
“This is a special team when it comes to preparation for a match, whether one plays or doesn’t. Everyone works together as a team.”
Wiese agreed whole-heartedly with Jantjies about the special nature of the team, and said the experience since joining the squad has been phenomenal. Wiese said:
“The first thing for me is that you have to put the team first and then as an individual to know your role and to do everything to the best of your ability for the team.
“At the Springboks you are playing for something much bigger than yourself.
“It’s been amazing for me to experience how unbelievable the guys are, how positive they are around one another, and how we get each other ready for big days. I’ve learned to put myself behind the team and to give everything for them.”
“It was a privilege to win such a big series against the British & Irish Lions and then to have a chance to play in the Rugby Championship,” said Jantjies.
“We celebrated (winning against the British & Irish Lions) last week Saturday, and from Sunday it was about recovery and preparing for this match.
“The preparation this week was great, and it showed the in standards set that everyone was switched on.”
GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 14: Elton Jantjies of the Springboks kicks for posts during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)
Wiese, who earned his fourth Test cap on Saturday, admitted that while he had to step into big boots in the absence of Duane Vermeulen – who will return to the field once he has made a full recovery from the ankle surgery that sidelined him for the opening stretch of the season – the experienced Bok No 8, who was named the SA Rugby Player of the Year for 2020, has had an influential presence in the last few weeks.
“No-one can replace Duane,” said Wiese. “He has a presence about him and ever since he joined the camp he has been actively talking to the guys and guiding everyone at training.
“It is big boots to fill, and I don’t know if I will, and I know that he will be massive when he comes back. So, I don’t think anyone can fill his boots, I can only try my best.”
Boks Seek Improvement in Second Puma Test
The Springboks team returned to the training field on Monday to prepare for their second Castle lager Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Nelson Mandela Bay on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids confirmed that a handful of players were on the road to recovery after suffering injuries recently, including scrumhalves Faf de Klerk (leg muscle strain), Herschel Jantjies (hip pointer), and loose forwards Marco van Staden, Rynhardt Elstadt, Duane Vermeulen (all three have ankle issues), and Jean-Luc du Preez (knee), but he was confident that they would be available on their Australasian tour.
Davids said the plan is to “see what we can do better as individuals, and we have to ensure that we implement that at training so that it filters onto the playing field. So, for us it is about driving standards and getting better in our execution.”
Springbok lock Marvin Orie, added that while the standards in the team are high “we lost a few lineouts against Argentina, and having had our match review, we realised it was all a result of our own mistakes. Argentina has a good lineout, so we have to fix our errors, and we will work on that this week.”
WATCH VIDEO Highlights of Rugby Championship: SA vs Argentina
