Le Roux’s experience called on to sharpen Springbok edge ahead of Pumas duel

Veteran Willie le Roux will be part of the Springboks’ preparations for the Test against Argentina until Wednesday.

After initially being dropped from the 33-player squad ahead of the final two matches of the Rugby Championship, Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to call on Le Roux’s experience to help prepare the players for Saturday’s clash at Kings Park (kick-off 5.05 pm).

The Boks face Los Pumas in Durban before heading to London for the final Test at Twickenham next Saturday — a match that is likely decide the Rugby Championship title.

Le Roux linked up with the world champions on Sunday after being released by the Bulls. He will return to the Pretoria side following the conclusion of the Boks’ training block on Wednesday and will be available for their United Rugby Championship (URC) opener against the Ospreys on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

“We try to train the way we play, and by having him in camp it will allow us to improve the quality of our training sessions ahead of this vital match,” Erasmus said on Sunday.

“Willie is a member of our wider squad, and we feel it will benefit us to have him train with us early in the week. Every point will count in the next two games if we want to win the competition, so it’s essential that we get the most out of our training time to be as sharp as possible when we take the field.”

The Springboks currently sit in second place on the log, one point behind Australia (11). New Zealand are also on 10 points, but the Boks hold a superior points difference. Argentina are fourth with nine points, although all four teams remain in the running for the title.

South Africa will know by Saturday morning what they must do to stay in touch with the frontrunners. A bonus-point win over Argentina would put them top, but they’ll also need the All Blacks to beat the Wallabies — or at least deny Australia a bonus-point victory. That first Bledisloe Cup clash kicks off in Perth at 7.05 am SA time.

Erasmus will name his side on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen whether he sticks with the winning recipe which demolished the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington last weekend. Some changes will be unavoidable, with fullback Aphelele Fassi and lock Lood de Jager both sidelined through injury. Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman are likely to battle it out for starting roles against the physical Argentines.

Despite the injuries, the Boks can still field a formidable side as they look to extend their dominance over Los Pumas at home. The South Americans have beaten South Africa only once on local soil — in Durban back in 2015 — and have lost 17 of 18 Tests played in the country.

Still, Argentina’s recent shock victories over both the All Blacks and the Wallabies suggest they’ll arrive in Durban ready to spring another upset.