Marx Aims for 'Epic' Title Shot in Rugby Championship Finale
Malcolm Marx is gearing up for a thrilling Rugby Championship showdown on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium, where the Springboks will face Argentina with the title on the line.
After a narrow loss to Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero last week, Marx emphasized that the world champions are determined to avoid repeating their mistakes in the crucial rematch.
Rassie Erasmus’ side needs just one point from the match or to avoid Argentina securing a bonus point in order to clinch their first championship since 2019 and their fifth overall. Marx expressed excitement about the prospect.
“Argentina played an excellent game last week, and this is the first time they’ve defeated the Springboks, New Zealand, and Australia in one season,” said Marx. “It’s also their first opportunity to compete for the title, so it’s going to be an epic challenge, but we are ready for it.
“They’re tough to contain. They managed to outmaneuver me a couple of times last week, so they have quality players who really bring the game to you.”
Despite the formidable challenge posed by Los Pumas, Marx is confident in the Springboks' preparations. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work this week and have a clear understanding of what needs to be corrected from last week's performance to secure the win.”
Reflecting on their last encounter, the two-time World Cup-winning hooker acknowledged that the Springboks “fell short” in some areas of their game.
“We conducted a thorough review and identified the key areas for improvement,” he said. “We started strong but couldn’t sustain that intensity throughout the match in Argentina, so it’s crucial that we maintain our focus and effort for the full 80 minutes.”
Marx also acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead. “We know it’s going to be tough to come away with a win this weekend, so we’re fully aware of the task in front of us.”
While praising the physicality of the Pumas, Marx noted that every team in the competition brings its own unique brand of toughness.
“The Pumas are always physical, but I wouldn’t say one team is more physical than the others,” he added, referring to Australia and New Zealand. “Each team presents a different style of rugby, but they all pose a formidable challenge.”
With the stakes higher than ever, the Springboks are focused on delivering a performance that will secure them the coveted championship title.