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Durban - Lood de Jager's performance was one of very few positives to emerge from the Springboks’ 37-25 loss to Argentina at Kings Park last Saturday.
The Bok lock has continued to impress since being given an opportunity when replacing the injured Victor Matfield in their Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Brisbane.
And while Springbok rugby has very little to smile about this week as World Cup preparations continue, a shining light from the loss to the Pumas is that the Boks are winning their own lineout ball without Matfield.
“The lineouts actually went well,” said De Jager.
“I think we dominated them at lineout time but just the scrum... I don’t know. It’s the ref’s decision; I have nothing to do with that. I wouldn’t know how he interprets it.
“I think we could have mauled better, our maul wasn’t as effective as it usually is. They tried to come with tricks and it worked for them. We had a look at that and we’ll put it right on Saturday.”
De Jager is happy with his own game, saying he is “hungry for rugby”, but that does not detract from the disappointment of Saturday’s team performance.
“We as the Springboks set high standards for ourselves. We believe that we’re the best team in the world and to lose on home soil to Argentina is not good enough,” he said.
“I’m happy the coach gave me a chance to play the last three games and I’ve really enjoyed it and I think I’ve done well. We’ll see if I get picked on Saturday. Hopefully I do and we’ll get a chance to rectify what happened this past weekend.”
The Boks are set to announce their side for Saturday’s clash on Wednesday.
