Match Preview: Argentina vs South Africa

The final week of SANZAR Tests is not for competition points. Australia have won the Rugby Championship, and unless things go awry for them in Auckland on Saturday, will be the SANZAR team gaining the most in confidence and momentum ahead of the World Cup. Unconvincing thus far in in 2015, New Zealand need to beat Australia on Saturday to restore belief, most importantly within the team itself.

South Africa have played three, lost three, including two games at home, have lost five of their last seven Tests, and face a possible fifth consecutive Test defeat in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Argentina won their second-ever Rugby Championship game since joining the competition when they outthought, ‘out-passioned’ and outplayed the Springboks in Durban last weekend. It was one of the great days in Los Pumas rugby history, and they will be supremely motivated to repeat that triumph at home.

Velez Sarsfield provides an opportunity for Argentina to build on their winning momentum and to give a massive boost to Rugby Union in Argentina, while for South Africa it’s a chance at redemption after their miserable run of defeats and widespread – at times vitriolic – criticism at home

The Pumas scrummaging was strong, they denied the Boks time and space, won collisions, slowed down Bok recycling, and scored tries off set-piece ball.

To win in Buenos Aires, the Boks will need to be decisive, energetic, and able to adapt to their opponents and the referee, none of which they succeeded in getting right in Durban. They need to eliminate unforced errors, recycle efficiently at breakdown, tighten defence, especially from set-phase, and attempt to play at their own pace and dictate the pattern of the game.

Key players:
For the Boks, Pat Lambie, with a long overdue opportunity at 10, Willem Alberts, back at blindside flank – important because SA has no similar player – and new starting props Trevor Nyakane and Marcel van der Merwe, trying to stabilise the scrum after last week’s mess. Plus the exciting young centre pair, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel. For Los Pumas, Nicolas Sanchez, back at 10, with Juan Martin Hernandez shifting one out to 12, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe back at 7, last week’s biggest hero Juan Imhoff on the wing, plus their potent, internationally streetwise loosehead Marcos Ayerza.

The big match-ups:
As scrummagers, Ayerza vs Van der Merwe and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro vs Nyakane. Out wide, Imhoff vs Lwazi Mvovo. At 5 lock, Victor Matfield vs Tomas Lavanini.