Akona Ndungane has downplayed the possibility of Argentina completing a double over the reigning world champions, Springboks, as the sides prepare to go pound-for-pound for the coveted Rugby Championship crown this weekend.
The Boks entertain the hungry Los Pumas at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit at 17:00.
The match will decide where the Championship title goes this year with South Africa looking to lift it for the first time since 2019.
The visitors haven’t won the title in their history and have a chance to break that duck this weekend.
This after they stunned South Africa with a 29-28 victory in Santiago del Estero last weekend to put themselves in a position to snatch the title from the Boks.
The South Africans need just a point to win the chase, meaning they can still lose the battle but still conquer in the war should they get a losing bonus point from the game.
Boks are on 19 points while Los Pumas are on 14 points and if the latter wins the title it would be on a head-to-head basis.
But Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador and 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Boks Ndungane feels the Argentinians will not be able to repeat what they did at home a week ago.
“I think the Boks will be hurting from losing that game last week after having such a good start,” Ndungane said.
“I think what’s at stake is the Rugby Championship (title) where Argentinians still have a very good chance of winning, but the Springboks are definitely the favourites being on 19 points.
“They just need one point to clinch the title,” he said.
“I think the Boks will definitely take this one (as) we have seen that Argentinians haven’t been able to put two great weekends in a row.
“They seem to perform in one weekend and the following weekend they just seem to not pitch up,” Ndungane added.
“I think the Springboks will have enough (power) to win this one by 10 points.”
Ndungane also believes Boks coach Rassie Erasmus made a good decision by backing under pressure pivot Manie Libbok.
Libbok has been heavily criticised for his kicking which contributed to the Boks’ loss to Argentina.
Erasmus elevated the flyhalf to the starting XV, forming a half-back pairing with Jaden Hendrikse.
“It’s good to see that Rassie still backs Manie Libbok,” Ndungane said.
“Obviously, getting some experienced players will bring a lot of confidence and having the captain (Siya Kolisi) back as well.
“And playing in front of a packed stadium will definitely be a huge boost for the Boks.”
💥 Mbombela, get ready!
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 27, 2024
It all comes down to this! #ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/Dii9jrfeyf
TEAMS
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Argentina XV: 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Matais Moroni, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Juan Martín Gonzalez, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia.
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