Boks playing for Etzebeth and South Africa

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team would play for Eben Etzebeth – who will become the most capped Springbok of all time with 128 Tests – and to make the entire country proud when they line up against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday.

The Boks hope to clinch the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title which will see Kolisi lift the trophy for the first time since 2019.

Kolisi said the fact that no player in this squad has ever won the full edition of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship – a feat last achieved by the Boks in 2009 as well as in 2004 and 1998 when Bok coach Rassie Erasmus was a player – would make winning the title even sweeter if they achieve this objective.

The Bok captain, who made his Test debut in Nelspruit against Scotland in 2013, had fond memories of running out in the Springbok jersey for the first time in Nelspruit and he was delighted to share Etzebeth’s phenomenal achievement with him in the same city as a good a friend on Saturday.

“I’ll never forget my first game – it was a special one against Scotland and it was tough too, so it’s fantastic for me to share this moment with Eben and mark this milestone with him together,” said Kolisi.

“I met Eben when I was 18 years-old and we’ve been friends for a long time, even when he went overseas.

“So, for us as a team the best way to show how special he is to us will be to win tomorrow. “He doesn’t want this week to be about him, winning (the game and the trophy) would mean so much more to him.”

Commenting on Etzebeth as a player and team-mate, Kolisi said: “A lot of people see him as playing an enforcing role and being a good leader, but he’s also very intelligent, so there’s so much more to him than his physicality. He also plays a crucial role in ensuring that the team’s values are kept intact.”

Asked what it would mean to this Springbok team, who have already won two Rugby World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions series, and the abbreviated version of the Castle Rugby Championship in 2019, Kolisi said: “This group has never won a full Rugby Championship title, so that’s our mission, and we know that if we don’t win the game, it would also put a dampener on Eben’s record. So, as a team we know what we must do.”

Kolisi said the fact that this is the last time South Africa’s rugby faithful will see the team play on local soil in 2024 also inspired them going into the match.

“This is the last time we are playing in SA, so hopefully we can make everyone proud – both the fans at the game and those watching on television, so we encourage them to come out in their green and gold and sing as loud as they can.”

Both Kolisi and Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expected a physical onslaught from Argentina and said they were bracing themselves for an epic encounter, especially given that if the Pumas win the match with a bonus point and deny the Boks a point, they would win the trophy.

“We have a lot of respect for Argentina and the way they are playing,” said Kolisi.

“They have a number of former sevens players in their set-up and a lot of experience on the bench. That said we are much better prepared for what lies ahead this weekend after facing them last week.”

Stick echoed his skipper’s sentiments: “They are a good side. One only has to look what they achieved this season to see what a force they are. They defeated the All Blacks in New Zealand, they put more than 60 points over Australia, and they beat us last week, so we know the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

“That said, we have an opportunity to rectify things this week, and it’s great to be here in Mbombela. We enjoyed the match we played here against the All Blacks, and we know the crowd will carry us this weekend again.”

Stick said the team would adopt a different approach to this match after taking the lessons learned last week: “We started well last week, which was one of our focus areas going into the game, but this week we have to ensure we maintain our intensity for the full 80 minutes.

“When Argentina gets momentum they capitalise on it, and they are a team that plays with a lot of passion and heart, so this will be a special occasion for both teams.”