Springboks: Siya Kolisi aware of ‘what’s at stake’ in crunch Test against Argentina
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is viewing Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Durban as a “semi-final” and said they would treat the visitors with the “respect” they deserve going into the crucial encounter.
After four rounds of action in the Rugby Championship, only two points separate the four competing nations in the tournament, with each side having won two and lost two thus far.
The Wallabies are currently setting the pace atop the standings with 11 points amassed, just one ahead of the Springboks and All Blacks and two clear of Argentina.
With Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina all still in the title race, Kolisi and Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expected a blockbuster encounter, but they stressed that they were completely focused on what they wanted to achieve in the match.
“We all know what’s at stake,” said Kolisi. “They are a team that brings physicality and skill, so they are certainly not going to just give this game to us.
“So, for the team, it will be about doing our best to give ourselves the best possible chance to win the match and stay in the running for the title.
‘They always play with passion’
“The Pumas are extremely professional on and off the field, and they always play with passion, so we are under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“But at the same time, we want to do something we’ve never done before, and that’s to win back-to-back Rugby Championship titles in a row, so we have a lot of motivation within this group as well.
Kolisi is wary of the threats posed by Los Pumas and expects a tough challenge from the South American outfit.
“Their coaching staff have done very well to bring the team together, and they have a good pack, while they also play with more structure, but still have that flair in broken play, so they are a dangerous team to face.”
Stick echoed Kolisi’s sentiments and added that the world champions had set specific goals which would be their main focus points, instead of concentrating too much on what the opposition would do.
“Their coaching staff have done very well to bring the team together, and they have a good pack, while they also play with more structure, although they still have that flair in broken play, so they are a dangerous team to face,” he said.
“That said, the main aspect for us is to keep improving. We’ve had a few inconsistent performances this season, and over and above that, Argentina are also in a good space, and they have players who have been playing together for a few years, so they are a settled outfit.
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“We are also mindful of the fact that they are still in the title race, so they’ll give everything.”
Kolisi identified the breakdown battle as an area that will be crucial in the grander scheme of things and said he expects Los Pumas to be competitive in that department.
“They have physical and very experienced loose forwards and we’ve been playing against them for years, but similarly to them, Jasper (Wiese), Pieter-Steph (du Toit), and I complement one another really well, and we know who needs to fulfil each role according to our strengths.”
He admitted that while it was a special match for the Boks, given that it marks their last match in South Africa for 2025, they would be driven by their on-field objectives, as opposed to putting up a good show.
‘It’s not about putting on a show’
“For us, it’s not about putting on a show,” said Kolisi. “We are playing Test rugby, and this match is basically a semi-final for us because Argentina, the All Blacks, and Wallabies can also still win the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, so for us the focus is on getting the desired result.
“Obviously, it will be the last match that some of our families will be able to be with us and support us, so we do want to thank them and our supporters with a good performance, but we also know that with us playing at home, the Pumas will feel that the pressure is on us.”
Asked about the late alteration to the matchday squad on Friday morning following the withdrawal of Ox Nche (prop) due to a niggle, which will see Boan Venter start at loosehead prop and utility forward Marco van Staden come onto the bench as a replacement hooker, Stick said they had full faith in both players.
“I wouldn’t say the late change disrupted the team,” he said. “Boan has been with us all season, and he’s started games and he’s come off the bench, so he knows what he has to do, while Marco played hooker for us in the Rugby World Cup and has been training his throwing with Deon (Davids) and Daan (Human – Bok assistant coaches), so we are comfortable that they will do what is expected of them on the field.”
