AUDIO: Boks wary of Mendoza minefield
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TWO: Argentina’s recent track record may suggest South Africa should bag a second consecutive win in the 2018 version of the tournament.
However, the Springbok camp has gone out of its way to play down Los Pumas’ three-from-34 (less than nine percent) success rate.
Springbok No.8 Warren Whiteley and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick fronted up to the media ahead of the return match with Los Pumas in Mendoza this coming Saturday.
The Boks won 34-21 in Durban last week and are gearing up for a massive backlash in a city were Argentina have had some success in the Southern Hemisphere championship.
The Mendoza minefield and the recent change in coaching staff are two of the factors why the South Africans are cautious about this week’s rematch.
Argentina has won just three and draw one of their 34 Rugby Championship matches since they joined the competition in 2012.
There was a famous win over the Boks in Durban in 2015 and a win against SA in Salta in 2016.
However, they beat the Wallabies in Mendoza in 2014 (their first-ever Rugby Championship triumph) and drew with the Boks in the same city in 2012 – a fortuitous late score saving the Boks from humiliation.
Whiteley spoke of the importance of ‘lifting the intensity’ in the game in Mendoza if they are to avoid another walk of shame.
“We know it is tough to play here [in Argentina],” Whiteley said, adding that Los Pumas’ Latin passion will come to the fore on their home soil.
“It is definitely a different kettle of fish [from last week in Durban.”
Whiteley pointed to the appointment of Mario Ledesma, who took charge of his first Test last week, as a key factor.
The former Los Pumas hooker will not want to lose his first game at home and is sure to fire up his charges.
Stick also pointed to the Latin passion as a factor, saying Argentineans always play with heart at home.
The Bok assistant spoke of recent improvements in the national team, despite perceptions to the contrary – based on a winless June campaign that resulted in the change of coaching staff.
“After the success of the Jaguares in Super Rugby – [which include seven consecutive wins, including four from four on their Australasian tour] – they will start having the belief they can beat anyone anywhere,”Stick said.
Stick described Ledesma as “one of the most experienced coaches currently in the world” – based on his stints with Stade Français (forwards coach), Montpellier (forwards coach), Waratahs (coaching observer) and Australia (forwards coach).
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