The Springboks will be looking to get their 2018 Rugby Championship campaign off to a solid start when they take on Argentina on Saturday the 18th of August.
Rassie Erasmus will get his first taste of the Rugby Championship when his charges take on the Argentines in Durban this Saturday. The recently installed Springbok mentor has enjoyed a solid if not spectacular start to his reign with his side beating England 2-1 back in June. His team will face a tougher prospect than the wilting Roses here, however, with Argentina sure to be fired-up with new head coach Mario Ledesma at the helm.
South Africa v Argentina
Saturday 18 August
Jonsson Kings Park
17:05
To Win (80 Mins)
South Africa 1/10
Draw 30/1
Argentina 11/2
Handicap
South Africa (-16.5) 9/10
Argentina (+16.5) 9/10
South Africa
As noted in the introduction, the Springboks have had a decent start to the year. A series victory over England is nothing to snigger at and the ‘Boks will take a lot of heart from their two victories. There is work to be done, however, if the South African’s are to be a real force in the Championship.
The biggest area of concern for Erasmus after the aforementioned series would have been the Springboks defence, which was extremely porous at times. In order to shore it up, the Springbok coach is going to have to find a defensively competent centre pairing.
The early noise coming out of the ‘Bok camp this week is that Erasmus will charge Sharks centres Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am with the midfield duties. The duo come into this one off of a solid Super Rugby campaigns and look to be the best option in the present.
Argentina
Saturday will mark a new dawn for Argentina as former Jaguares head coach Mario Ledesma takes over the reigns of the national team following the departure of veteran mentor, Daniel Hourcade.
Ledesma is likely to bring some fresh ideas to the fore, and we will probably see this Argentine side be more gung-ho on attack.
The Argentines haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons so far, losing all three of their June Internationals in which they went down to experimental Welsh and Scottish sides. The Springboks shouldn’t judge them on those performances, however, as this Argentine outfit is packed with quality.
Speaking of quality players, Ledesma has called up Saracens prop Juan Figallo to sure up the scrum. The prop has impressed since moving to England and could well give the ‘Bok front row a few problems.
Verdict: Argentina (+16.5) 9/10
This is a monstrous handicap that I cannot foresee it being beaten. Argentina will be fired up with a new coach at the helm, and I can see them competing with a Springbok side well and truly in their transition phase.
