South Africa is desperate not to lose to the best Argentina line-up in a year, in their one-off rugby Test at Velez Sarsfield Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams have spent the build-up paying their respects to each other.
Springbok coach Jake White noted Argentina was the only leading side in the world not competing in a major tournament such as the Tri-Nations and Six Nations. It has made vain efforts to be included in each.
”I don’t want my team to lose to them, but Argentina deserve being involved in an international competition,” White said.
Argentina will finally field a near full-strength side for the first time since its European tour a year ago when it beat France and narrowly lost to Ireland. Since then, club commitments depleted the Pumas before a 39-7 home loss to South Africa, a draw with the British and Irish Lions, and drawn home series with Italy.
The Pumas believe they’re finally strong enough to top South Africa for the first time.
”South Africa are a tough team, and play very aggressively, but they are not invincible,” said fullback Juan Martin Hernandez.
Added fellow back Felipe Contepomi: ”We know the South Africans are faster and stronger, and for that reason I believe that it will be vital to try to surprise them with our attack. We must be more aggressive than them to prevail.”
South Africa made four changes from its last match, against New Zealand in August, bringing in flanker Solly Tyibilika, number eight Jacques Cronje, scrumhalf Bolla Conradie and winger Conrad Jantjes.
Tyibilika will start in place of Schalk Burger, who was in the reserves, and Jantjes will play his first Test in four years because Breyton Paulse was unavailable due to club commitments in France. Cronje and Conradie replaced injured players.
The match will mark the 40th anniversary of the first team to head overseas as the Pumas, who went to South Africa. – Sapa-AP