By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed his excitement to return from a hamstring injury and wear the green and gold against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
The match – which will mark Kolisi’s first Test of the year, along with Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager (both locks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), and Morne van den Berg (replacement scrumhalf) – kicks off at 21h10 (SA time).
“I’m very excited – it’s been tough watching from the sideline, but there’s a couple of us getting an opportunity now,” said Kolisi.
“It’s been so good to see the depth in this team, with guys who have taken over and carried on the momentum. So, I’m really excited to get the chance to play again this weekend. It’s a tough place to come and play, but that’s exactly what we need as a group.”
“It’s hard to train and not play, or not be involved, so we all just want to add value to the team and play our part. Getting our jerseys this morning was very special.”
Commenting on the challenge of facing the Pumas on their home patch, Kolisi said they are expecting their hosts to put up a massive fight.
“Their last two games have been very close, and they could have gone either way, so it’s never easy coming here,” he said.
“We did as much preparation as we could back home last week, and this week here with the smaller group, and we know how tough they’re going to be.”
“There are some good new players getting an opportunity in their team too, and we know what that feels like, having experienced the same thing in our own squad over the past three games.”
“The crowd plays a big role as well. The people here are very passionate. It’s very similar to South Africa. That’s why it’s always great coming here, but we know how tough this battle is going to be.”
Meanwhile All Blacks were made to work hard for victory as they began their tour of South Africa with a competitive 38-21 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Elsewhere Springbok women earned a well-deserved 55-12 victory over Fijiana XV in the first of two Test matches, with the second clash next Saturday in Lautoka.