'We’ve got a point to prove' - Pieter-Steph du Toit

Springbok forward Pieter-Steph du Toit says the Springboks will be desperate to claim a rare win against the All Blacks on South African soil next week.

The All Blacks retained the Rugby Championship title following their win over Argentina following the Springboks win over the Wallabies earlier on Saturday.

However, the Springbok forward believes that it is is time to set the record straight.

During a post-match interview, he flank said that there will be everything to play for when the two sides clash at Loftus Versfeld on 6 October, despite the match being a 'dead rubber' in terms with the All Blacks already winning the competition. 

‘The All Blacks are going to come at us with everything they’ve got,’ Du Toit said. ‘They’re going to try and prove a point [after the loss in Wellington].

‘That said, we’ve got a point to prove as well. We’ve beaten them there, and we have to show we can beat them here as well.’

The Springboks last beat the All Blacks in the Republic in 2014 despite coming close last year in Cape Town losing 25-24.

Du Toit feels the Boks have turned a corner since Rassie Erasmus took the head coaching reins earlier this year and have gone back to some of their traditional strengths.

‘South African teams are trying to get that physicality back. We’re trying to put the opponents on the back foot. Defence has been a big focal point in recent games, and hopefully we will get it right next week too.’

‘We’ve worked hard on our tackling with Jacques. He’s a great defence coach and I feel like he’s helped me a lot, especially on my technique.

Quotes via: sarugbymag