Davids dismisses Bok ‘warm-up’ talk

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has shut down any suggestion that Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires is little more than a stepping stone toward the All Blacks series. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports. liveiplscore.homes

A 26-man Bok squad arrived in Argentina on Sunday for the one-off clash against Los Pumas, with another group of players – and Springbok attack guru Tony Brown and Mobi-Unit coach Duane Vermeulen – remaining in Johannesburg to prepare for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

“I don’t think we approach this as a warm-up,” Davids said on Monday. “We approach every Test match as a game that is important in terms of what we want to achieve, what we stand for as a team. We’re proud of our records and the opportunity we get to set our standards from game to game.”

He was equally direct when pressed on whether the fixture amounts to a curtain-raiser for the four-Test showdown against the All Blacks.

“Our focus is on Argentina, our focus is on this Test match,” Davids said. “Our focus is to win another Test match for South Africa, to improve our game and build our game for the rest of the season. We are not focusing on any other games right now. It’s all about Argentina.”

MORE: Boks prep for Los Pumas duel without coaches

Davids was clear-eyed about the challenge awaiting the Springboks on the road.

“Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, it’s always been a story of being able to grind it out right until the end. It’s never easy. If you come here with the mentality of seeing it as a warm-up, that’s a big mistake.”

The return of several senior players from injury has been a welcome boost heading into the match.

“It’s fantastic to have those guys back,” Davids said, naming the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. “We had a very good buildup in our camp week, and that was a fantastic opportunity for them, which is important as we build toward the rest of the season.”

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Managing their minutes remains a priority.

“We do have specific plans in terms of how we want to manage them,” he said. “We operate as a collective, all 23 in the squad, and we believe they are ready. They’ve worked very hard the last couple of weeks to get themselves back onto the field.”

For Davids, the message is simple: Argentina will be passionate, gutsy and desperate to prove a point, and South Africa intend to meet that challenge head-on rather than ease into it.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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With his injury issues behind him, Morné van den Berg is eager to tackle Los Pumas in Argentina on Saturday, and rejoin the arm wrestle for the Springbok No 9 jersey.

The 28-year-old is set for his first Bok appearance of 2026 after recovering from bicep surgery that has kept him sidelined since May.

Speaking on Monday from Buenos Aires ahead of this week’s clash at Estadio José Amalfitani, Van den Berg said the road back had only strengthened his resolve.

“There was a lot of motivation for me,” the Lions scrumhalf told reporters. “I have incredible people on my side who helped me so much. I’m really feeling good.”

MORE: Davids dismisses Bok ‘warm-up’ talk

Van den Berg made his Test debut against Portugal in 2024 before earning his first start in the green and gold in Australia, adding four more caps and five tries last year.

His injury came at a time when fellow Bok scrumhalves like Cobus Reinach was also sidelined, while Embrose Papier seized his opportunity with the Vodacom Bulls and, along with Herschel Jantjies, forced his way into the national conversation.

“That type of stuff is completely out of your control,” Van den Berg said. “Players put their hand up throughout the year, and before then they put in effort and they get rewarded.

ALSO: Boks touch down for Buenos Aires challenge

“I could only face what’s in front of me. I had an opportunity to upskill, get fitter, and work on my mental game to get stronger.

“You don’t always get what you think is best for you, but I did my best to make the most out of my situation,” he added.

“To come back and just compete, it’s incredible. At the end of the day, you serve the Springboks; whatever it takes to make the Springboks better, you do it.”

Van den Berg has also noted the attacking opportunities being created around the rucks, with Papier and Jantjies making a huge impact against Scotland and Wales, respectively, last month.

ICYMI: Boks prep for Los Pumas duel without coaches

“There is an emphasis [by referees] on cleaning up the ruck, and when the attacking teams get their chance, they do create space,” he said. “Each defence that you face is different, and credit to those boys scoring some good tries.”

His versatility could also prove valuable for Rassie Erasmus’ plans, having played centre and fullback at school, and the Hoërskool Linden alum is open to adapting if required.

“I’ll do anything the coaches want from me. If they think I’ll be a good fit there, then I’ll definitely do it with passion and pride. But I haven’t trained there, yet.”

Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images

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Deon Fourie has urged his Stormers teammates to savour every second of Friday night’s historic meeting with the All Blacks, where many of them will face the haka for the first and possibly last time.

The clash at Cape Town Stadium opens the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour and marks the first time in half a century that the Stormers have the opportunity to take on New Zealand. Western Province upset the All Blacks 12-11 in 1976.

For Fourie, who faced the All Blacks in the 2023 World Cup final, the significance of the occasion extends far beyond the result.

“It’s a massive occasion. I was fortunate enough to play one game against the All Blacks, but probably 80 or 90% of these guys won’t get that opportunity again.

“If you don’t play for the Springboks, you’ll never face the haka or play against the All Blacks. So what a massive occasion. Fifty years on, we get the opportunity again, as a union and as a club, to play against a Test side.”

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The 39-year-old loose forward admitted he has been counting down to the fixture ever since it was announced, particularly after his recent injury battle.

“To represent your union and your club – a club that’s very dear to my heart and where I’ve spent almost my entire career – against a Test side like the All Blacks is a massive occasion.

“Like I said, 80 or 90% of these guys probably won’t get another opportunity to play against the All Blacks or face the haka. That’s something every little boy dreams about when he starts playing rugby and watches the Springboks take on the All Blacks. Most of these guys will probably get their only opportunity to experience that.”

ALSO: All Blacks brace for unknown Stormers battle

Fourie has spent the past few months recovering from knee surgery and says he is ready if selected.

“I’m 10 or 11 weeks after the operation. Fitness-wise, I’ll probably only know if I play on Friday, but I’m definitely ready to go.”

The veteran said his previous experience against the All Blacks passed in a blur.

“The coaches picked my brain this morning. I can’t really remember much of those 77 minutes because it went by so quickly, but they’re great memories.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule

Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images

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Le Paris Saint-Germain a accueilli plusieurs renforts ce lundi au Campus PSG. Marquinhos, Vitinha, João Neves et Nuno Mendes ont repris le chemin de l’entraînement après leurs vacances accordées à l’issue de la Coupe du monde 2026.

Le capitaine brésilien avait vu son parcours s’arrêter en huitièmes de finale avec la Seleção, battue par la Norvège (2-1). Les trois internationaux portugais avaient, eux aussi, quitté la compétition au même stade après une défaite contre l’Espagne, future championne du monde.

Ces retours offrent une nouvelle option à Luis Enrique, qui poursuit la montée en puissance de son groupe avant les premières échéances de la saison. Le PSG disputera un match amical contre Majorque mercredi, avant d’affronter Manchester United samedi. Les Parisiens préparent surtout la Supercoupe d’Europe face à Aston Villa, programmée le 12 août.

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