Springboks assistant coach Daan Human emphasized that South Africa “owe it to themselves” to deliver a strong performance this weekend as they aim to bounce back from their shocking defeat to Argentina. The Springboks return home after a narrow 29-28 loss in Santiago, but a victory in Nelspruit could still secure the Rugby Championship title for them.
Human, addressing the media ahead of the game, expressed the team’s determination to channel the nation’s support and deliver a good performance. He stated that the team is aware of the country’s backing and that they owe it to the fans and themselves to recover from last weekend’s setback.
Despite the defeat, the Springboks are still considered favorites for the rematch, with a win potentially securing their first Rugby Championship title since 2019. The Springboks started well in Santiago with early tries from Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel, but they allowed Argentina to come back and take the lead. They had a chance to win in the final moments, but Manie Libbok’s 79th-minute kick missed, giving Argentina a historic victory.
Reflecting on the loss, Human acknowledged the disappointment but hoped the team had learned valuable lessons, particularly for the players experiencing Argentina’s home crowd for the first time. He also praised the team’s effort but admitted there was much to improve on.
The Springboks rotated many key players for the first match, leaving several stars out or on the bench. While these players are expected to return for the title-deciding match, Human acknowledged that Argentina would carry confidence from their win into the upcoming game, especially after defeating all three other Rugby Championship teams for the first time.
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