As the Springboks gear up for a bruising encounter against Los Pumas at Durban's Kings Park this Saturday, flyhalf Manie Libbok and loose forward Kwagga Smith are mentally preparing to dig deep. With the Rugby Championship title still up for grabs and a decisive match against Argentina in London on the horizon, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Libbok, who recently shone in a record-breaking victory against the All Blacks, is not underestimating the Argentine backs.
"Many of their players have sevens backgrounds,"
he noted, highlighting their speed and agility. "They’re quick, agile, and have great skill sets, so we know we have a big challenge this weekend." The aerial game, a strong point for the Boks, is expected to be a critical battleground.
Smith chimed in with praise for the Pumas' loose trio, emphasizing their mobility and knack for turnovers. "They have very mobile loose forwards who get around the park, and they’re good at winning turnovers. Their pack is also physical in general, and they play hard rugby, so they’ll challenge us there this weekend." He also pointed out the growth and balance of the Argentine squad, making them formidable opponents.
The Boks' internal competition seems to be a driving force behind their recent performances.
"Handré [Pollard], Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and I push each other really hard, and that brings the best out of all of us,"
Libbok shared, reflecting on his role in the team's success. With a focus on improving his goal-kicking, he remains committed to contributing his best to the team.
Rassie Erasmus, the Bok coach, downplayed the pursuit of bonus points, focusing instead on securing a win. Amidst strategic preparations and playful banter with rivals, the team remains focused on the task at hand. As the clock ticks down to a 5:10 pm kick-off at Kings Park, both fans and players are bracing for what promises to be a memorable clash in the heart of Durban.
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As the Springboks gear up for a bruising encounter against Los Pumas at Durban's Kings Park this Saturday, flyhalf Manie Libbok and loose forward Kwagga Smith are mentally preparing to dig deep. With the Rugby Championship title still up for grabs and a decisive match against Argentina in London on the horizon, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Libbok, who recently shone in a record-breaking victory against the All Blacks, is not underestimating the Argentine backs.
"Many of their players have sevens backgrounds,"
he noted, highlighting their speed and agility. "They’re quick, agile, and have great skill sets, so we know we have a big challenge this weekend." The aerial game, a strong point for the Boks, is expected to be a critical battleground.Smith chimed in with praise for the Pumas' loose trio, emphasizing their mobility and knack for turnovers. "They have very mobile loose forwards who get around the park, and they’re good at winning turnovers. Their pack is also physical in general, and they play hard rugby, so they’ll challenge us there this weekend." He also pointed out the growth and balance of the Argentine squad, making them formidable opponents.
The Boks' internal competition seems to be a driving force behind their recent performances.
"Handré [Pollard], Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] and I push each other really hard, and that brings the best out of all of us,"
Libbok shared, reflecting on his role in the team's success. With a focus on improving his goal-kicking, he remains committed to contributing his best to the team.Rassie Erasmus, the Bok coach, downplayed the pursuit of bonus points, focusing instead on securing a win. Amidst strategic preparations and playful banter with rivals, the team remains focused on the task at hand. As the clock ticks down to a 5:10 pm kick-off at Kings Park, both fans and players are bracing for what promises to be a memorable clash in the heart of Durban.