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South Africa take on Argentina on the brink of securing a rare Rugby Championship crown after two wins over the All Blacks.
The Springboks have won this competition just once since the Pumas’ addition to the tournament and not since 2019, but a win of any kind will be good enough to make certain of the title. Rassie Erasmus’ side start their penultimate game eight points ahead of their opponents, who are the only team able to catch them.
With a return fixture to come next week, Erasmus has rested a couple of key figures, with Siya Kolisi in the coaches’ box rather than on the pitch as he manages a facial injury. Argentina may therefore spy an opportunity to cause a shock — the hosts are full of confidence after producing a record win against Australia a fortnight ago.
Follow all of the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
Argentina vs South Africa: Springboks expect the unexpected
Unbeaten South Africa go in search of a fifth Rugby Championship crown when they clash with Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday but their fiery hosts have title ambitions of their own and are primed for the fight.
The Springboks will lift the trophy for the first time since 2019 if they beat Argentina, but with the latter having already claimed the scalps of New Zealand (38-30) and Australia (67-27) this campaign, they are certainly not taking anything for granted.
Coach Rassie Erasmus said this week both sides were willing to “go to the gutter”, a term the Springboks use to mean slugging it out and getting over the line in any way possible.
He has made 10 changes to his starting XV, opting to leave several regulars at home in the knowledge he has two bites of the cherry, with a home clash against Argentina to come at Mbombela Stadium on Sept. 28.
But with such strong depth in every position, changes do not mean a weakened side and it will rather be the ability of his team to handle their hosts in broken play that will decide the contest.
The Springboks know it will be physical, frenetic and passionate at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, and exerting control among the forwards and with territorial kicking will be key.
“The theme for us when it comes to their (Argentina) set-pieces is to expect the unexpected,” double World Cup winning prop Ox Nche told reporters.
“They have certainly grown in their forward play, and they are trying new things in the lineouts, where they can play at the front and back, and they maul as well, so they are a well-rounded team. We know it’s going to be a massive challenge.”
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 20:30
Argentina vs South Africa LIVE
Good evening, and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Argentina vs South Africa in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship. The Springboks are on the cusp of a rare crown having proved themselves as the class side in the competition in back-to-back wins over the All Blacks – but a Pumas side riding high after their thrashing of Australia still harbour faint hopes.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 September 2024 19:30