Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot says they will make some ‘brave calls this week’ in preparation for Saturday’s clash with Argentina in Salta.

Two upcoming Tests against Argentina, starting with Saturday’s challenging encounter in Salta, will provide the Springboks with more opportunities to prepare for the World Cup in Japan.

The Pumas host the Springboks in the high altitude of Salta this weekend in the final Test of the truncated Rugby Championship, while the two teams then play each other a week later in Pretoria.

The Springboks have a one-point advantage over the All Blacks at the top of the standings after a bonus-point win over the Wallabies in Johannesburg and a thrilling comeback draw with New Zealand in Wellington.

Proudfoot said the South Africans have their feet planted firmly on the ground, and they will not get ahead of themselves as they build towards Saturday’s third and final Championship clash of the year.

‘We understand the challenges of playing in Salta, having won one and lost one there, and we know it will be another big challenge for us on Saturday.

‘We will be making some brave calls this week, as we did against Australia and New Zealand in the last three weeks, as we prepare for this very important Pumas challenge.

‘We understand the challenge of the game having come here last year and losing in Mendoza. We played them before that in Salta and won, and the year before that we lost to them in Salta. So, we are well aware of the challenge that the Pumas pose when you play them at home.’

Proudfoot suggested that a Springbok win in hostile away conditions would be a big incentive for the team.

‘We would like to win the game, but our focus is to just continue with the momentum we built [against the Wallabies and All Blacks] and preparing for the World Cup,” said Proudfoot.

‘All four teams in the Rugby Championship are scrambling for momentum at the moment, to try and pick up some momentum before we go to the World Cup.

‘We have this week and next week Argentina travel to South Africa, so I think it is two nice weeks where the two of us can pick up momentum, and use the opportunities to test the depth in our squads and our strategies before the World Cup.’

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