Springboks eye momentum shift with must-win clash against Argentina in Durban

The Springboks believe the two extra training days this past week will be vital in their bid to land the first blow against Argentina in Durban on Saturday.

After assembling in the coastal city on Thursday, the Boks hit the training field on Friday and Saturday to slip into match-week mode ahead of two crucial Rugby Championship Tests against Los Pumas. Kings Park will host the Argentinians this weekend (5.10pm kick-off), before the sides square off again at Twickenham in London next Saturday.

Still second on the log, the defending champions know that two bonus-point victories over the South Americans will give them the best chance of retaining the title for a second consecutive year.

Argentina, though, are equally fired up for the chance to claim the crown for the first time. Despite sitting fourth, they are only two points behind the table-topping Wallabies (11 points), while the Boks (10) trail Australia by just one.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to announce his team early in the week, with the world champions set to resume on-field preparations on Monday after a Sunday rest. Selection for Kings Park will be the talking point, particularly after the Boks’ 43-10 demolition of the All Blacks in Wellington.

That victory featured a settled pack and a refreshed backline, though injuries to full-back Aphelele Fassi and lock Lood de Jager may force changes.

Their early exits opened the door for others — most notably Eben Etzebeth, rested in Wellington, who looks poised to reclaim the No 4 jersey in front of his home crowd. Fellow giant RG Snyman, impressive off the bench, will also be eager for a rare start if Erasmus calls on him.

Since Erasmus took charge alongside former head coach Jacques Nienaber, Los Pumas have beaten the Boks only twice — in Mendoza in 2019 and Santiago del Estero last year. Their last triumph in South Africa was a decade ago, also in Durban, when Heyneke Meyer’s side went down 37-25.

This week, the Boks are not only defending that decade-long home record but also chasing their first set of back-to-back wins in this year’s competition. They’ve alternated between victories and defeats over four rounds, and momentum is crucial ahead of the Twickenham showdown.

“We have two massive encounters ahead against a fired-up Argentine team who, like every other side in the competition, believe they can win the trophy. That’s why the extra training days were vital,” Erasmus said.

“The players are fresh and charged up for the challenge ahead, and that excites us because we’re going to give everything to build on our last result and give ourselves the best possible chance to win the title.

"It’s not only important to get a good result to stay in the running, but it’s also our last home game of the year, and we want to thank our fans for their passionate support throughout the season.”