Springboks’ double mission: Argentina first, All Blacks next
SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks may be fully focused on their Nations Championship campaign, but head coach Rassie Erasmus is already laying the groundwork for success against Argentina and the Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand.
The Springboks take on Wales this Saturday at Kings Park Stadium in the Nations Championship Round Three clash. Four players – Vusi Moyo, Jaco Williams, Ruben van Heerden and Carlu Sadie – are set to make their debut.
After the Durban clash, the Springboks have a massive task next month. The side will face the All Blacks in a four-match series for the first time since 1996 on South African soil.
However, before that first Test against the All Blacks on August 22, the Springboks take on Wales this weekend and then will travel to Argentina to take on Los Pumas on August 8.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will use their time in South Africa to prepare for the opening Test by facing the local franchises, with matches against the Stormers (August 7), Sharks (August 11) and Bulls (August 15).
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“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is something that we’re all excited about,” Erasmus told reporters in Durban.
“Next week, the boys are off, and then we’re going to send 26, 27 guys over to Argentina to prepare and then keep some guys back to prepare for the Greatest Rivalry.
“The important thing is we don’t want to send players to Argentina while New Zealand is busy playing against our franchises, and we have to fly back and they’re used to South African weather and the stadiums, and then we have to play them in the first Test.
“We will really focus on that Argentina game and getting Eben, Siya, Lood de Jager and ‘Sous’ [Franco Mostert], those guys to go there to Argentina and pick a proper team.
“But we will leave 15, 16 or 17 guys, depending on who’s injured, back to start preparing for New Zealand.”
With the All Blacks getting time to acclimatise by facing the South African franchises, Erasmus admitted that some Springboks could be released to their clubs if they require valuable game time.
Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one player who could benefit from a return to franchise rugby.
“We had a meeting with our franchises early in the year, and we would love to release some of those players,” said Erasmus.
“Like Sacha, if he needs a game, yes, we might release him. It won’t be a blanket thing; it will be case by case.”
The Springbok coach also stressed the importance of managing the workload of key players like Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The flanker is set to make his fourth consecutive appearance for the Springboks this weekend against Wales at Kings Park, but Erasmus indicated that he is unlikely to travel to Argentina.
“If you look at Pieter-Steph’s last year, he hasn’t played a lot.
“It’s a good thing; you don’t want to be underdone when you go up against New Zealand.
“He’ll probably be one of the guys who will not go to Argentina, and they will get a two-week rest.”
With careful squad rotation and an eye firmly fixed on the All Blacks, Erasmus appears determined to ensure the Springboks arrive at the Greatest Rivalry series fully prepared – without overlooking the challenge waiting in Argentina.
