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Pumas v Springboks: Everything you need to know
A much-changed Argentina side will be expected to deliver a significantly improved performance when they host South Africa in round two of the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
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The Springboks eased to a 37-15 victory in last weekend’s reverse fixture in Port Elizabeth, prompting Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade to make six changes.
Juan Martin Hernandez and Tomas Cubelli will form a new half-back pairing for the Pumas high above sea level in Salta, while Lucas Noguera, Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno and Juan Manuel Leguizamon come in to the pack.
South Africa’s only alteration is enforced – Francois Hougaard replacing the injured Ross Cronje (ankle) at scrum-half.
“Francois has played a lot of test match rugby, his work ethic is second to none and he has been working hard up to now since joining the squad,” said Springboks coach Allister Coetzee.
HEAD TO HEAD
Pumas: 2
Springboks: 22
Draw: 1
KEY PLAYERS
Pumas – Juan Martin Hernandez
Hourcade’s decision to drop last week’s starting half-backs, Martin Landajo and Nicolas Sanchez, means much responsibility will fall on their replacements. The vastly experienced Hernandez, now 35, is unlikely to be fazed by the pressure on his shoulders.
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Springboks – Eben Etzebeth
The Springboks’ pack dominated the Pumas in Port Elizabeth. At high altitude, Etzebeth will play a key role in ensuring his side provide sufficient physicality once again.
Eben Etzebeth will captain the #Springboks against the Pumas tomorrow in Salta, with @kolisi1 hi vice-captain. @Beast_TM @MTNza @ASICS_ZA pic.twitter.com/V8nIF9rRPs
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) August 25, 2017
THE LINE-UPS
Pumas: Joaquin Tuculet, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Juan Martin Hernandez, Tomas Cubelli; Lucas Noguera, Agustin Creevy (captain), Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lezana, Juan Manuel Leguizamon.
Este es el equipo que buscará vencer a Sudáfrica, este sábado desde las 16.40hs, en el Estadio Padre Martearena en Salta pic.twitter.com/ztrJ7HQ8uq
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) August 24, 2017
Springboks: Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Malcolm Marx, Coenie Oosthuizen, Eben Etzebeth (captain), Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Uzair Cassiem.
PRE-MATCH TALK
“To beat South Africa, we have to play almost perfect rugby,” said recalled Argentina number eight Leguizamon. “It will be very important for the forwards to impose ourselves in the maul, in the ruck, in the scrum, in the line.”
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee said: “Our approach and preparation will be just the same as when we prepared for all our home Tests, and to control whatever we can control. We must again show patience, hunger and the desire to execute our gameplan.”
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KEY STATS
– Last week’s 37-15 triumph represented South Africa’s biggest win over the Pumas since 2013. The Springboks have won 22 of their 25 matches against Argentina (D1, L2).
– Argentina won their last home meeting against South Africa, securing a 26-24 victory in August 2016.
– The Pumas have lost four of their last five matches in Argentina, their only win in that run coming against Georgia. However, the Springboks have not won away from home since beating Argentina 24-13 at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, losing six in a row since then.
– Tomas Lavanini made 15 tackles in the opening round, the equal-most of any player who did not miss with a single attempt. New Zealand skipper Kieran Read also managed 15 out of 15.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ag please, Pieter Stef Du Toit has played circles around this clown.
1 Go to commentsJust celebrating the Bok’s 1648th consecutive day as RWC champions. They are also the Qatar Airways Cup winners, which I know BennieBoy cares about a lot.
1 Go to commentsGood to here positive stories towards Aus Rugby. Although that might be the case, and highers up are right about Jordie, I wouldn’t stress trying to retain him. What I have seen of him in recent times is that he’s not using that something special. I feel there a better ‘something special’ options coming through that they won’t have to compete with league for, hell even in Kerevi and Paisami (isn’t it great to finally see his ability getting recognized, probably taking this article in isolation too much here).
46 Go to commentsgreat article! I wonder whether we will we see Ireland adopt the Nienaber blitz? All the teams who have tried it so far (SA included) have gone through significant teething problems in the first season; Ireland could possibly be in the unique position of being able to switch to a hard blitz in season 2 of a world cup cycle and already have so many players used to the system that it can be implemented seamlessly.
7 Go to commentsThey probably left another 20 on the field to be fair. Also - the officiating was… ordinary.
1 Go to commentsblackadder isnt a key player at all you cant say hes been the best player or a key all black when hes injured every week
2 Go to commentsThat loss to the Blues still stings! The Reds have fallen short in 4 of the 6 games decided by 7 points or fewer. Are they not fit enough to close out the close games or are there tactical issues when games go down to the wire? The pleasing thing is no Australian side can better the Reds record of 3 wins from 5 against Kiwi sides but the Brumbies can match it. Les Kiss has instilled a belief in the Reds that they can match it with all the New Zealand sides.
46 Go to commentsA potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
7 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
46 Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
2 Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
46 Go to commentsRecord Score Downloading…………..
1 Go to commentsWonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
46 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
46 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
7 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
2 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
2 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
46 Go to comments