Recap: South Africa v Argentina LIVE | Rugby Championship
Follow all the action from the World Cup warm-up match live on RugbyPass as South Africa host Argentina at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
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Here, Paul Dobson of rugby365.com sets the scene, first asking is this friendly really a Test match?
Without wanting to be negative, it is a question that should be asked as we look ahead to Pretoria and some 35 000 people who have bought tickets. Look at the two teams. Of the 30 players who started last Saturday’s Test, there are two still in their positions.
Of the Springboks, nobody who started last week will start again this week. Of the Pumas, Ramiro Moyano and Pablo Matera are back again and three have shifted their positions – Jerónimo de la Fuente, Javier Ortega Desio and Marcos Kremer.
South Africa name their side to face Los Pumas next Saturday in Pretoriahttps://t.co/zS7fQYfn69
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That’s five out of 30 – 17 per cent. Somewhere, somehow, it does not seem best versus best. It is understandable in this World Cup year that there is experimenting to be done. It is understandable that squad members need to get game time.
But why call it a Test? It could have more honestly been South Africa A versus Argentina A, leaving a Test to be a nation’s best versus a nation’s best. Point made.
We still have a rugby match to look forward to, to be played by outstanding players. All of the Springbok starters have Test caps – from Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel, who are into the 40s, to Rynhardt Elstadt, who has just started.
The Pumas have two new caps in Lucas Mensa and Santiago Carreras. The rest are all capped Pumas and include strong Pablo Matera. A lot will depend on how the players find each other when the battle becomes intense, and the Pumas are likely to want intensity and collision in the game.
Players to watch
Amongst the Springboks, there are clever Warrick Gelant, speedy Sibusiso Nkosi, intuitive Dillyn Leyds and Cobus Reinach, who was excellent when he came off the bench against the Wallabies in Johannesburg.
Among the forwards, there is surprisingly skilful Rudolph Snyman, who seems not to need a rest, and his lock partner Lodewyk de Jager, who may well need the match to be on the trip to Japan after a wobbly time with injury.
Of the Pumas, one would especially like to see their wings, Sebastián Cancelliere and Ramiro Moyano in action as they both have the speed and talent to be world-class wings. Then there is clever Jerónimo de la Fuente.
In the forwards, they have several strong, battle-hardened men. The pack could well lay the foundation of a Puma victory, and to lead them is Pablo Matera, the silent assassin.
Head-to-head
Pack versus pack could be the contest that decides the match. Unless there has been a miracle, the Springboks will dominate the scrums. There are not many scrums in a match but each one has the ability to influence morale and so the direction of the match.
Last week, there were 10 scrums in which the Pumas were penalised six times – surely a record of some kind for a Test match.
Hardman versus hardman – Pablo Matera versus Rynhardt Elstadt. Matera is three years younger than Elstadt but has over 50 caps more. He has great international experience, but Elstadt may just be the most fearless rugby player in the world. There could be a clash of strength here.
Locks versus locks could be a great contest, especially in the lineouts – Lodewyk de Jager and Rudolph Snyman versus Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti. The Puma pair will not blink in the contest. The battle for the loose ball could be interesting as neither side has a robber chief but expect Marcell Coetzee to be prominent.
SOUTH AFRICA: 15. Warrick Gelant (6 caps), 14. Sbu Nkosi (7), 13. Jesse Kriel (43), 12. André Esterhuizen (7), 11. Dillyn Leyds (9), 10. Elton Jantjies (34), 9. Cobus Reinach (11), 8. Marcell Coetzee (29), 7. Rynhardt Elstadt (1), 6. Siya Kolisi (41), 5. Lood de Jager (39), 4. RG Snyman (14), 3. Vincent Koch (14), 2. Schalk Brits – captain (12), 1. Thomas du Toit (9). Reps: 16. Scarra Ntubeni (uncapped), 17. Lizo Gqoboka (1), 18. Wilco Louw (12), 19. Marvin Orie (2), 20. Marco van Staden (2), 21. Kwagga Smith (3), 22. Faf de Klerk (23), 23. Frans Steyn (59).
ARGENTINA: 15. Joaquin Tuculet, 14. Sebastian Cancelliere, 13. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 12. Lucas Mensa, 11. Ramiro Moyano, 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9. Felipe Ezcurra, 8. Javier Ortega Desio, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Pablo Matera – captain, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Santiago Medrano, 2. Julian Montoya, 1. Mayco Vivas. Reps: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Juan Figallo, 19. Matias Alemanno, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Gonzalo Bertanou, 22. Ben Urdapilleta, 23. Santiago Carreras.
WATCH: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on his team to face Los Pumas
Comments on RugbyPass
Yet, according to Jake White and other twonks who think better, Jenkins shouldn’t be picked by the boks. Daft.
5 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments