Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirms that defeating Argentina remains the top priority, utilising the Buenos Aires clash to test ten returning players before the upcoming four-Test series against the All Blacks.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has declared that victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires is the team’s immediate focus, even as the clash serves as a vital trial for the upcoming multi-Test series against the All Blacks.
The Springbok squad assembled in Johannesburg for an intense training block. The players will sit out Wednesday to rest and recuperate before finalising their on-field preparations on Thursday.
The travelling squad to South America will be announced on Saturday, departing in two separate groups. The remaining squad members will stay at the Johannesburg training base to kickstart preparations for the four-Test home series against New Zealand.
"First and foremost, we want to beat Argentina, just like every other team; we want to win every Test match we play," Erasmus said. "Then there's the bigger picture, the Rugby World Cup, which is close to a year away, but you also have to respect the team you play next week."
The Springboks welcome back 10 players from recent injury layoffs. Erasmus confirmed that only two players remain sidelined with long-term injuries: prop Ox Nche and lock Franco Mostert.
"Apart from them, everyone is ready to play," Erasmus confirmed. "I wouldn't say it is ideal [that they are all returning from injury now]. We would have liked the guys not to be injured and to have been able to manage their time right from the start."
The returning group includes key figures André Esterhuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Erasmus views the Buenos Aires match as a crucial test for these players.
Erasmus noted that while the match serves as a crucial trial for the upcoming New Zealand series, the focus remains on respecting Argentina. He added that the game was primarily scheduled to honour their relationship with the Pumas, but it now serves as a key test for the 10 returning players.
Despite the excitement surrounding the upcoming All Blacks series, the focus remains firmly on the immediate task at hand. "Argentina is our first goal right now," Erasmus said. The final squad for the New Zealand series will be confirmed immediately after the team returns from Buenos Aires.