The Springboks will be hoping to keep their 100% record at fortress Mbombela Stadium alive when they tackle Argentina in a 2024 Rugby Championship decider on Saturday.
The Springboks have gone four out of four at Nelspruit’s former 2010 Fifa World Cup venue since 2013, when a fresh-faced Siya Kolisi made his debut in an unfamiliar white jersey against Scotland.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus will hope his charges can keep that winning streak going with the title on the line. Argentina can still win the Rugby Championship with a bonus-point win, while denying the home side a losing bonus point.
IOL Sport’s John Goliath looks back at the Springboks previous Test matches at Mbombela Stadium.
June 15, 2013: Beat Scotland 30-17
Looking back at the footage of this match, Springboks captain Kolisi has certainly grown into his ears after starting international career in spectacular fashion against the Scotland nine years ago.
The start of something special ✨
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 26, 2024
Siya Kolisi made his debut against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in 2013 🔙![CDATA[]]>🔙@SpurRestaurant | #TRC2024 pic.twitter.com/FttglVCOGJ
Kolisi was summoned off the bench four minutes into the match after flank Arno Botha had suffered a serious injury. Kolisi then had blinder, running hard through Scotland’s defence, and tackling anything that moved.
The Boks managed South Africa overturn an 11-point on the day to down the Scots.
June 21, 2014: Beat Wales 31-30
Lock Victor Matfield equalled John Smith’s then caps record of 111 in a drama-filled Test match against Wales in 2014. Just over 10 years later, another Springbok lock legend Eben Etzebeth will become the most-capped Springbok when he overtakes Matfield at this venue on Saturday.
After clinching the series three-Test series the week before, the Springboks found a Welsh team determined to salvage some pride. Wales led by 17 points during the match, but two yellow cards for the visitors turned the match on its head.
The Springboks then won the game in the 77th minute when they got a penalty try after a Liam Williams’ shoulder charge on Cornal Hendriks, which Morne Steyn converted.
August 20, 2016: Beat Argentina 30-23
After beating the Springboks for the first time in their history the year before in Durban, Argentina were on the verge of a second consecutive away win against the Springboks.
Los Pumas were leading the Boks by 10 points with 11 minutes left the Test match, but the Boks clawed their way back with Bryan Habana and Etzebeth putting on wonderful displays to draw the South Africans level in the final minute.
The Springboks’ No 8 Warren Whiteley then scored with basically the final play of the match to break Argentina’s hearts.
August 6, 2022: Beat New Zealand 26-10
The Springboks put on a display of power and panache to to beat their great rivals on a day when the Mbombela Stadium was absolutely rocking, with a fantastic atmosphere from start to finish.
The Springboks scrummed and mauled the All Blacks into the ground, with flyhalf Handre Pollard also dictating play with the boot.
The Springboks flew out of the blocks and took a 19-3 lead after wing Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a great try following a ridiculous offload in the build-up by Lukhanyo Am. Willie le Roux then rounded off a dominant display with a try late on in the match.
@JohnGoliath82