Centurion Le Roux boosts Bok preparations in Durban ahead of Pumas clash
Springbok centurion Willie le Roux has linked up with the squad in Durban this week to boost preparations for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina, before returning to the Vodacom Bulls for their URC opener.
Image: BackpagePix
SPRINGBOK fullback Willie le Roux has joined the national squad in Durban to help sharpen their preparations for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship showdown with Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Le Roux, who recently became a Springbok centurion, will train with the squad until Wednesday before returning to the Vodacom Bulls. That makes him available for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said the veteran’s presence early in the week would lift the intensity of training.
“Willie is a member of our wider squad, and we feel it will benefit us to have him train with us early in the week,” said Erasmus.
“We try to train the way we play, and by having him in camp, it will allow us to improve the quality of our training sessions ahead of this vital match.
“Every point will count in the next two games if we want to win the competition, so it’s essential that we get the most out of our training time to be as sharp as possible when we take the field.”
Erasmus thanked the Bulls for releasing Le Roux despite their own looming season start.
“I’d like to thank Johan Ackermann and the Vodacom Bulls for releasing him to train with us, and we wish them and the other South African teams the best of luck for the opening round of the Vodacom URC,” he said.
Squad in full swing
Erasmus named a 33-man squad for the two closing fixtures of the Rugby Championship, both against Argentina. The first is in Durban this weekend, followed by a clash at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 4 October.
The Boks assembled in Durban last Thursday and have already gone through training sessions on Friday and Saturday to get momentum going after their return from New Zealand. With Le Roux’s input, they now switch into full throttle for the decisive phase of preparations.
Title race wide open
The Rugby Championship table remains finely balanced heading into the final two rounds.
The Springboks are second on 10 points, level with the All Blacks after their record 43-10 win in Wellington. The Wallabies lead on 11, with Argentina close behind on nine.
That leaves every contender still in with a chance, ensuring high stakes when the Boks host the Pumas this weekend.