With South Africa’s hopes of clinching the 2022 Rugby Championship likely to be dependent on successive bonus-point victories, Springbok finisher Makazole Mapimpi has stressed the importance of converting every try-scoring opportunity against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

The All Blacks top the Rugby Championship log with 10 points, one point ahead of the Springboks, Australia and Argentina, who are all on nine. With the competition wide open going into the penultimate round, the Springboks will have little room for error in two Tests against Argentina as bonus points are likely to determine the 2022 championship.

A noticeable difference during the Springboks’ victory in Sydney was their accuracy and intent on attack – exemplified by Jaden Hendrikse’s tap-and-go, followed by Willie le Roux’s cut-out pass in Damian de Allende’s try.

Reflecting on their improved showing in Sydney, Mapimpi is hopeful the world champions’ conversion rate continues to climb.

“It was really great for us as a team to bounce back from the previous game,” he said. “It was a good thing to be able to do what we enjoy doing, and especially to score tries when we had the opportunities. It is vital to score tries when we have the opportunity to play, so we have to focus on ensuring that we finish our chances next week.”

Although the Boks will be chasing two bonus-point wins, Mapimpi knows the Pumas are stiff opposition.

“Argentina are a good team with quality players and they have several experienced players – some of whom we have been playing against for a few years now,” said Mapimpi. “We know the intensity and physicality with which the All Blacks play after seeing their result against New Zealand last week, and Argentina were on the same level against them in their first Test match.”

The Buenos Aires match is set to kick off at 4:10pm on Saturday, while the final round clash between the teams will take place at Kings Park on 24 September (5:05pm).

Photo: Twitter/@Springboks