Marx sends ominous warning to Los Pumas

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx says he is ready to play through the physical pain as the Springboks get their Rugby Championship campaign underway this week weekend.

Speaking to reporters during an online media conference on Monday, Marx said the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions left the Springboks with plenty of battered and bruised bodies.

However, it won't stop the Boks from trying to lay down a marker when they face the Argentinians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

"I think there are a few sore bodies. Mentally it [B&I Lions series] was a bit draining, but we haven’t played together for over a year and a half before this series and the Georgian Test, so for me personally, I am still hungry to keep going.

"I am looking forward to the week ahead.

"Even if the bodies or sore or if we are mentally tired, it is onto the next challenge and that is what I am focussing on."

Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids said his players are mentally ready for the Rugby Championship.

"We really enjoyed winning the series against the British & Irish Lions and we celebrated the win on Saturday, but with the level of professionalism in the squad, we were able to quickly shift our focus to the next task,” said Davids.

"From a coaching perspective, it's important to bring that reality to the players as soon as possible, which we have done.

"We started full-out on the Rugby Championship preparations today [on Monday] and went through what we can expect from Argentina, so this is a normal Test week for us, and we’ll prepare accordingly."

@rugby365com