However, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick told a press conference that the quality of their performance is their main driving force going into the Test. “Breaking records is nice, and so is winning competitions, but the quality of our performance will be the most important aspect for us because we also have a tough end-of-the-year tour coming up,” said Stick.

The Springboks tour the UK and Europe in November. 

The Springboks hold a one-point lead over the second-placed All Blacks on the standings going into the final round, and they will know exactly what the permutations will be for them to lift the trophy for the second successive season by the time they take the field.

The Springboks team for the Championship decider against Argentina in London. Photo: Facebook/Springboks 

Stick said an 80-minute performance is what he expects from the team against Argentina.

“Last week’s result (the Boks’ 67-30 victory against the Pumas) is in the past, and we certainly learned a few things from that match after leading by only two points at halftime.  

“Last week we scored, and then they would score, and we conceded penalties that kept them in the game. If one looks carefully at Argentina, they beat New Zealand and Australia, so if we don’t learn from that and the errors we made last week, we’d be silly,” he said.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team is very much aware of the magnitude of the match and is looking forward to it.

“There are a few guys in our team that haven’t won the Castle Lager Rugby Championship before, and we want to honour them and make it a special game for them. 

“But setting records is not our focus. It’s all about our performance and trying our best to do the job,” said Kolisi.

The Test at Twickenham kicks off at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cvs