The 'Boks will be looking to build on their solid start to the Rugby Championship when they take on the Argentines in what is likely to be the reigning World Champions final jaunt on home soil for 2021.
This game could be of vital importance as the Springboks face an arduous tour of the Tasman, which looms large on the horizon. As such, Jaques Nienaber will be priming his boys to go in search of another full point haul.
South Africa v Argentina
Saturday 21 August
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
17:05
To Win Match
South Africa 2/11
Draw 28/1
Argentina 4/1
Handicap
South Africa (-12.5) 9/10
Argentina (+12.5) 9/10
Those expecting a Springbok hangover – myself included – following the series victory over the British & Irish Lions were in for a rude awakening with the South Africans, sans a number of stars, cantering to a 32-12 bonus-point win over the Argentines.
While the men in Green and Gold were not at their best, the coaching brain’s trust will have no doubt been pleased with the number of players who put their hands up for continued selection, including Sharks flyer Aphele Fassi who had an absolute blinder on the wing.
To be fair to the Argentines, they had a tough old build up and were without a number of key players including live-wire nine Tomas Cuebelli. They played some decent rugby at times but failed to capitalize on promising chances with errant decision making and a solid defence ensuring they would end the fixture having not crossed South Africa’s tryline.
Things will get tougher for the South Americans this week as the Springboks bring back a number of their incumbents with Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi all returning to the starting XV.
Verdict: South Africa (-12.5) 9/10
With some tougher fixtures coming up in the Tasman, the hosts will be hunting another bonus point win. My money is on them grabbing the five-point haul and clearing the handicap with relative ease in the process.
Teams
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende , 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 1 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Marvin Orie, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jasper Wiese
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Nicolaas van Rensburg, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Dan du Preez, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Damian Willemse.
Argentina: TBA
