Champions-elect South Africa have made the trip to South America knowing a couple of points from this clash against Los Pumas will bag them their first Rugby Championship title since 2019.
Argentina v South Africa
The Rugby Championship
Saturday 21 September 2024 – 23:00
Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades
Rassie’s men currently sit eight points clear of their hosts – who occupy second on the ladder – and a win or draw here would see their status as Rugby Championship kings confirmed with a round to spare.
To Win (80 Mins)
Argentina 3/1 | Draw 25/4 | South Africa 1/4
Handicap
Argentina (+9.5) 9/10 | South Africa (-9.5) 9/10
The most innovative coach in world rugby is at it once again with Rassie Erasmus making ten changes to the side that beat the All Blacks in a thriller in Cape Town.
The wholesale changes see several standouts from the two comeback wins over New Zealand remain at home with Pieter-Steph du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, Damian de Allende, Frans Malherbe and Willie Le Roux among ten players left in South Africa.
While there are some big guns missing for the Boks, they have still announced a strong line up which features veterans Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard in the halves pairing. There’s also a recall for double World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi, while 2019 winner Thomas du Toit gets a start as well.
While the Springboks went two from two against the Kiwis, the Argentines produced the epitome of a mixed bag as they went down 19-20 to Australia in Round 3 before bouncing back with an emphatic performance which saw them hammer the Wallabies 67-27 in Round 4.
It follows a similar pattern they produced in the first two rounds of the tournament as they beat New Zealand 30-38 in the opening round before going down 42-10 in the second fixture.
Verdict: Argentina (+9.5) 9/10
It’s a big handicap and I fully expect the Argentines to stay within it. They’re on their home strip and will be determined to put in a big showing against the World Champions.
