Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Argentina the ideal test of Heyneke’s progress
Bok coach selects a relatively untried loose-trio for Championship game
THERE may be a fair number of youngsters and several new combinations in the Springbok side that will face Argentina today, but captain Jean de Villiers has high expectations for the side and is hopeful the team can kick off their Rugby Championship with a strong, winning performance.
In the starting team alone, seven players have played under 20 Tests, with Willie le Roux still learning the ropes as a Test fullback, JJ Engelbrecht new in the midfield, Bjorn Basson trying to on the wing, the loose-trio still untried against all-comers and the lock pairing very much a work in progress.
Yet, these new-look combinations and individuals have class written all over them and when mixed with the experience of De Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Jannie du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira you realise just why the Bok skipper is upbeat about the team’s prospects going forward.
“It’s unfair to compare this group with another because every team is unique in its own way, but, yes, I am excited about this group,” enthused De Villiers yesterday. “I’m excited about where we were last year this time and where we are now. New guys have come in and experienced guys have come back, so the balance is good. But, it’s all fair and well to say the right things; it comes down to putting up a good performance.”
De Villiers added the only way the Boks would know whether they are on the right track, was to do the business on the field, starting with today’s clash against Argentina at FNB Stadium. “All the signs are there that we’re progressing as a team, but we need the results to show that.”
It is, indeed, a well-balanced and exciting Bok side, with not only a good blend of youth and experience in the starting team, but a very powerful bench as well, including the likes of Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp and Fourie du Preez.
While the Boks will look to kick on from their performances in November in Europe and during the June Tests, De Villiers also knows Argentina will be much-improved from last season when they made their debut in the competition.
“There were good signs about our game in June and we’re confident going into the Rugby Championship. Our preparation has been better than before and we now know what to expect of Argentina. Last year when they came in they had a point to prove and were competitive throughout the competition, but they go into this game having been together as a group for much longer and they, too, will be well-prepared.
“They’re renowned for their scrumming, but we’ll be up for the challenge, they’re very physical at the breakdown, but we’ll be more effective there as well. We’re expecting anything and everything from them ... we’re ready for whatever they throw at us.”
With the Boks starting their Rugby Championship challenge with back-to-back games against Argentina it’s the ideal platform to make a big statement and show exactly what their intentions are. South Africa will expect a big performance against the 10th ranked team in the world; it is now up to the Boks to deliver and produce the right results ... as De Villiers has stated.