Boks arrive in BA looking for improvement

Aug 18 • General News, International, The Rugby Championship • 2070 Views • Comments Off on Boks arrive in BA looking for improvement

Photos: Etienne Burger

It took them 22 hours of travel time, but the Springboks arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday afternoon excited about showing improvement in the second Test of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Argentina, on Saturday evening (21h40 SA time) in Salta.
South Africa kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 13-6 win over Los Pumas in an unseasonal downpour at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.

The Springboks left Pretoria at 19h30 on Sunday evening and arrived at their hotel in Buenos Aires at 17h30 (SA time, 12h30 in Argentina) on Monday, travelling via Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said his team will have to make a step up this week if they are going to remain unbeaten in 2014.

“It was a tough start in difficult conditions for both teams, but we simply have to execute better this weekend in Salta,” said Meyer upon the team’s arrival in the Argentinean capital.

“We have first-hand experience on how tough it is over here from our last two visits to Argentina. They are a very proud rugby nation and have improved immensely over the last number of years.

“The players know they have to be 100% sharp and focused when we hit the training field this week. It’s a great challenge to improve on our results here from 2012 and 2013, but we have to be at our best.”

The players will have light flush-out sessions before the first training session of the week, on Tuesday, while the medical team will treat the bumps and bruises sustained at Loftus Versfeld.

Xerox Golden Lions captain Warren Whiteley, who was called into the squad following a hamstring strain sustained by Willem Alberts late last week, hooked up with the squad at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday evening.