The Springboks will look to use their Castle Lager Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday as a de-facto semifinal.
Coach Jacques Nienaber said the next two games will be treated as knockout games, not only because the team have a chance of winning the Rugby Championship, but also because it allows them to look at players in pressure situations with less than a year to go to the Rugby World Cup.
Nienaber believes the pressure will give them the answers they need as they look to overhaul New Zealand with all four sides still in contention for the trophy.
“Yes, it is a semifinal because if we want to have a successful Rugby Championships, then we have to treat it like a semi and a final. Every test for us is one that we want to win at all costs, and every team selection is geared towards that, “Nienaber said.
“We have not been that consistent with our team selection because we want to have a broader look where the squad is. Every test is a win at all cost test and we are representing our country, but we also need to get answers in certain positions.”
Nienaber said the Argentinean team would be targeting this game, especially as they want to complete a hat-trick of wins over their Southern Hemisphere counterparts this season. Argentina have beaten Australia in Argentina and New Zealand in New Zealand in this year’s tournament.
“This is a game they will definitely target. If we look at their team selection, we are under no illusion that we will encounter a fired-up, physical Argentinean side that knocked off Australia and New Zealand, “Nienaber said.
“They will target us and that is why we are treating it like a semifinal, because it will be a good test for players to handle the pressure situation of a pressure game, there will be a lot of heat in the game and the crowds will be hostile. It will be an ideal game to measure players and if they can handle a hostile situation.
“Argentina are a passionate country, they are a proud team and have lots of struggles without a domestic league and the challenges of a lot of players overseas. They are a tough team, hard to break down and passionate to perform in front of their home fans.
“They are formidable, we saw in Christchurch how well they played, and how well coached they are. They have a lot of experience as well.”
Nienaber admitted the Boks were not where they need to be if they are intent on defending their World Cup title next year.
“Are we where we should be in terms of winning the World Cup? Probably no,t but there are a couple of reasons for that. We haven’t put a massive focus on continuity in selection. We have been thinking a bit broader – like giving Elrigh (Louw) an opportunity in a big game, and last time Canan (Moodie) in Australia where he took his opportunity. Jaden (Hendrikse) gets a start there and while we know consistency in selection leads to consistency in performance, we need other answers as well.”
Springboks Team: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Elright Louw, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Frans Steyn
The Argentinean team are likely to name their side on Thursday.