VIDEO: Rassie reveals 'split squad' for Los Pumas deciders
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are on the verge of adding another piece of silverware to their impressive collection.
After securing four wins – beating Australia and New Zealand twice in succession – South Africa is well on their way to claiming a Rugby Championship title.
The back-to-back World Champs last lifted the Rugby Championship trophy in 2019.
However, after an incredible start in SANZAAR’s elite competition, the Boks sit pretty at the top of the standings and have a perfect opportunity to clinch the title in Argentina.
The Rugby Championship will take a break for a week before South Africa travels to Argentina and New Zealand to their neighbours Australia.
Erasmus said the team that will take on Argentina have already been confirmed and has been hard at work getting ready for the trip.
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“The guys that are playing against Argentina already know who they are,” Erasmus told a media briefing, after the 18-12 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town
“We have already been announced [the team] internally.
“They have been practising together.
“We have three days off.
“We will get together on Wednesday [September 11] in Stellenbosch.
“We will send one group over the Argentina and keep one group here for the home leg.”
#⃣WATCH as @Springboks coach @RassieRugby speaks about who had the biggest impact on his team’s back-to-back @SanzarTRC wins over the @AllBlacks 🏆#Rugby 🏉#Rugby365🌐#RugbyUnion🌍#RSAvNZL 🇿🇦V🇳🇿
🔗https://t.co/HRmFYx8ohF pic.twitter.com/JIUyKU7xUP— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 8, 2024
The Springboks are on 18 points at the top of the table and a win at the Santiago del Estero will take them to 22 points and will see them crowned champs in two weeks.
Argentina is the only team that can prevent Siya Kolisi from lifting the trophy.
Los Pumas kept their Rugby Champs dream alive with a record-breaking 67-27 teaching of Wallabies in Round Four.
They overturned a 17-point deficit and ran in nine tries to claim a bonus-point victory and moved t second on the table with 10 points.
The Los Pumas have won two and lost two of four matches in this year’s competition.
However, failing to secure two consecutive bonus-points wins over the Springboks will see them relinquish the hopes of their first-ever Rugby Championship title.
The two sides will go head to head at Santiago del Ester on September 21 followed by a rematch in Nelspruit on September 28.