An unquenchable desire to shatter more records will drive the Springboks forward when they bid to clinch back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time, lock Eben Etzebeth said.
Victory over Argentina at Twickenham in London on Saturday will be another landmark occasion for the in-form world champions (kickoff 3pm SA time).
After a thumping win over the Pumas in Durban last week, the Boks are scenting blood and looking to add another glorious chapter to their success story.
“If we win at Twickenham, it will be unbelievable for us as a group,” Etzebeth said.
“I think under coach Rassie [Erasmus], we’ve achieved many great things but one thing we haven’t yet done is to win the Rugby Championship two years in a row.
“Naturally, it’s a big challenge for us and would mean so much if we’re able to pull it off, but that’s easier said than done.
“We know Argentina are going to play angry and they’ll come back with lots of heart, but we’ve also said internally that we won’t be standing back and we’ll also aim to play better to win this thing for two consecutive years.”
The Boks enter the clash with their confidence sky-high after whipping the Pumas 67-30 last weekend.
“The last time we played here at Twickenham against a neutral team, it was against the All Blacks and there were quite a few South Africans in the crowd,” Etzebeth said.
“But in the week, we don’t talk about how much support there’s likely to be for us, or not for us. We just want to stay focused on the task at hand because we know what’s at stake.
“And if there are a lot of South African supporters, then that’s a bonus for the team.”
Etzebeth said the Boks would be facing an angry Pumas side in London after last week’s result.
“It is a huge challenge for us and one that will be exceptional should we manage to do it,” he said.
“But it is easier said than done because Argentina will be angry on Saturday.
“They will come with a lot of hate if I can state it like that, given the result last weekend.
“We have to be even better to make sure we can win this.The Boks just want to arrive on Saturday and play a great Test match.”
Springbok centre Damian de Allende said the Boks expected an enormous battle against the Pumas at a neutral ground for both teams.
“We’ve played here at Twickenham a few times, and though it’s neutral ground for both teams, we are expecting Argentina to have a good support base as well, so it’s going to be a proper Test match,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say playing in London is easier than playing in Argentina.
“The travel was easier, of course, and we didn’t have to face the jet lag factor so that it may be neutral territory, but that won’t give any team an advantage.
“That said, we are really looking forward to the match. I think more than 60,000 tickets have been sold, so it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere.
“Argentina will come out fighting. They may not be able to win the competition any more, but they defeated New Zealand, Australia and the British & Irish Lions this year already, so we need to stay focused on the task at hand to get the desired result.
“The Rugby World Cup is two years away, so we cannot look too far ahead.
“This week is the most important game of the year for us so far.
“It is essentially a final for us, so as a team, all our energy will be going to being prepared as well as we can for this match.”
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