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Why the Springboks won't be kicking for the posts in Buenos Aires
By Rugby365
Springboks No 8 Jasper Wiese says his team will be out to get bonus points in their final two Rugby Championship clashes against Argentina.
The Boks are in Buenos Aires preparing for their Round 5 clash next weekend. They will then face Argentina again the following weekend in Durban in the final round.
The Rugby Championship standings have never been tighter heading into the final rounds and bonus points could decide the winner in the end.
As it stands, the All Blacks are on top with 10 points, while the Springboks, Wallabies and Pumas are all sitting level with nine points.
“I think every team is playing for a bonus point at this stage,” said Wiese.
“You must remember that we got a shot to win it. I think every team will have the same mindset. Every team is either on nine or 10 points, so every team needs to try and get a bonus point.
“I think we just want to play our best and to make ourselves and the country proud.”
Wiese knows that his team will get a hostile reception in Buenos Aires.
“It’s the same when you play in any country. You always have to deal with the crowd and I think Argentina is a very proud country.
“I don’t see them as a team going away, especially when they are playing at home.
“The crowd is something every team has to deal with when they playing abroad. I think Argentina benefits from playing in front of that crowd.”
Meanwhile, Wiese, who was one of the stars of the Boks’ 24-8 win over the Wallabies last weekend, has shared the No 8 role with Duane Vermeulen in this year’s Rugby Championship and he says the competition has kept him on his toes.
“To have such an experienced player playing alongside you is amazing,” said Wiese. “To learn from him is a real privilege.
“As for the competition, it is always tight. I don’t think anyone’s spot is guaranteed.”
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Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
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