Boks are facing their biggest Test

The SA rugby team have taken four baby steps in restoring pride in the Springbok jersey in Test matches this year.

Having beaten the French in all three home Tests in June and disposed of Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Port Elizabeth last weekend, South Africa have shown signs that their horrible form in 2016 – where they won just four of their 12 Tests – is a thing of the past.

They are now ranked fourth in the world behind New Zealand, England and Ireland. Despite their 100% record in 2017, to be honest, they haven’t really been tested this year.

Tonight, against the Pumas in Salta, will be their biggest test yet and how they’ll respond will go a long way in showing what the state of rugby in SA currently is.

A loss in South America tonight will all but end any slim hopes of an unlikely first Rugby Championship title win. But a victory will give them much-needed confidence ahead of Tests on the road against Australia in Perth and New Zealand in Albany next month.

The Boks have only made one change to their starting line-up for tonight’s Test. Let’s hope their continuity translates into consistency and a fifth straight win.