The Springboks won the Rugby Championship for the first time in the tournament’s seven-year history when they smashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta on Saturday.
Taking the trophy from New Zealand, who were stunned by Australia earlier in the day and finished third overall, captain Duane Vermeulen says the trophy will do wonders for Bok fans in a World Cup year.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrongerTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrongerTogether #Springboks pic.twitter.com/1mhPyOIc50
— Springboks (@Springboks)
Having last tasted success in a southern-hemisphere tournament when they won the Tri Nations in 2009, Vermeulen says: “The victory is a great thing for our country because we know that if the Springboks do well then everyone is happy in South Africa.”
As for the team, they know their biggest job still lies ahead, with next week’s warm-up match against Argentina at Loftus before they hit the road to Japan for the World Cup.
VICTORY: Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen and RG Snyman celebrate after winning the Rugby Championship. Photo: Jan Touzeau/EPA.
Vermeulen explains: “I think for us the most important thing was to work on our consistency.
“We started the Rugby Championship working on executing our plans and in a way we are happy with our performance but there are still a few things to work on.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/fafdeklerk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fafdeklerkand @FrancoMostert with the @SanzarTRC trophy at the @ortambo_int airport. #Springboks🥇🏆 #StrongerTogether🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/LwTUk0lr3D
— Springboks (@Springboks)
“It’s a great feeling for us to walk away with the title, but in the end it’s a stepping stone for us going into the World Cup.”
The Boks and their Championship trophy will be back in South Africa on Monday.