The Rugby Championship is entering its business end, and both the Springboks and Argentina know their fate is in their own hands as they square up in Durban this Saturday.
The contest promises a bone-jarring affair with both sides battling for survival in the Rugby Championship.
Rassie Erasmus spoke with warmth about Los Pumas, calling them “similar to us in so many ways” and praising their sacrifices and grit.
“They can beat anyone,” he warned, recalling the stinging defeat the Boks once suffered at Argentina’s hands.
Respect runs deep between the two nations, but once the whistle blows, sentiment will be left in the changing rooms.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi echoed the admiration but made it clear his side are not here for a sightseeing tour.
“Facing the double world champions is a massive challenge but one we embrace,” he said, promising that Los Pumas would give the Boks a proper run for their money.
After scalping every rival once last season, Argentina have a chance to repeat the feat and keep their title hopes alive.
The spotlight will fall on the flyhalves: Santiago Carreras returns to steer Los Pumas, locking horns with South Africa’s rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Photo: SA Rugby
Erasmus hinted at tactical tweaks mid-game, with Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse waiting in the wings like versatile backline chess pieces. Contepomi, meanwhile, backed Carreras’ experience as the steady hand to guide his side.
Both teams carry the scars of past battles and the hunger for future glory.
Expect 80 minutes of heavy hits, tactical kicking duels like artillery exchanges, and flashes of brilliance out wide.
When the dust settles at Kings Park, one side will step closer to lifting the silverware, while the other will be left nursing bruises and broken dreams.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Joaquín Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Pedro Rubiolo, 21 Juan Martín González, 22 Simón Benítez Cruz, 23 Tomás Albornoz.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.10
Expected weather: Partly cloudy at 25 degrees Celsius. Winds North East at 10 to 20 mph.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
