The Springboks need to continue working hard if they’re to have a successful Rugby Championship campaign after making a brilliant start to the competition.
After two rounds of matches, the Springboks have been the most impressive team out of the four so far. In the first game against the Wallabies, the Boks ran their opponents into the ground, winning 33-7.
And in the second game, a younger, less experienced side found the going a little tougher in wet and muddy conditions, but eventually got things right towards the end and won the encounter 30-12.
After those two games, Rassie Erasmus’ men sit pretty at the top of the table with the maximum 10 points, while the All Blacks, the Pumas and Wallabies have not always been at their best.
To the fan on the street, the reigning world champions look like they are the favourites to claim this year’s trophy.
However, according to flank Van Staden, who was making a rare start in the number 6 jersey usually occupied by captain Siya Kolisi, a lot of work lies ahead for the men in green and gold.
“It feels great for us as a group to get such a good start to the competition, but the work is not done,” said the big Bok flanker.
“We still have a few big games to go, and we are looking forward to the next step. That said, to leave Australia with 10 points definitely gives us confidence going forward.”
The Springboks’ next assignment is an Ellis Park Test match against an improving All Blacks outfit on August 31. The two teams then go again a week later at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City. They then round off the competition with Tests against Argentina in Santiago del Estero on September 21, and in Mbombela seven days later.
IOL Sport