Argentina v Springboks Preview — Boks Prepare to Fight Fire with Fire

The Springboks are ready for a bruising encounter against a passionate Argentinean team determined to please their home crowd at Estadio Libertadores De América on Saturday as the battle for the Rugby Championship title reaches tipping point.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has opted for consistency following their emphatic win over Australia a fortnight ago, and has named an unchanged starting team, with some switches on the bench including talented young loose forward Elrigh Louw taking over from Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk returning as scrumhalf cover in place of Cobus Reinach, and Andre Esterhuizen getting his spot in the No. 23 jersey.

The fact that the Boks picked up no injuries on the Australian tour is a positive sign for a squad looking to settle into some combinations just one year out from the World Cup. Of course, playing an Argentinan side that is confident in their own physicality and set-piece play, the Springboks will need to be clinical and outmuscle the opposition if they’re to stop the South Americans.

The Pumas are undoubtedly feeling like they’re in a good space following a huge win over Australia and defeating the All Blacks in New Zealand during this tournament, with the Springbok scalp the only one left to take, regardless of the bigger outcome of the competition.

Argentina has shown that they’re an absolute menace at the breakdown, with the likes of Lavanini, Gonzalez, and Kremer causing chaos at ruck time against the Wallabies and All Blacks, but arguably their toughest opponents in that regard will be the Springboks, who prioritise ball security in order to build their kicking game from. So, a technical battle at the breakdown is inevitable and will likely determine the outcome of the game.

When Argentina have run the ball, they’ve also been dangerous. With Santiago Carreras at 10, Juan Cruz Malia at fullback, and the dynamic Emiliano Boffelli on the wing — not to mention Orlando and De La Fuente holding the centres — there’s a lot of firepower across the backline, which Argentina will likely try to utilise to counter a robust forward pack giving some upheaval to their own big boys.

Either way, Argentina is the type of team that wants to beat you at your own game, and their forwards love fronting up against South Africa’s, while their backs get great joy out of cutting any opposition backline to ribbons. The encounter should test the Springboks’ fortitude and ability to adapt unlike any other fixture so far this season.

Argentina – 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Lucio Cinti, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Augustin Creevy, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Tomas Cubeli, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Matias Moroni

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.