Argentina and South Africa have pumped up the volume in a war of words ahead of their World Cup semifinal on Sunday by exchanging mutual insults.
Pumas full-back Ignacio Corleto blasted the 1995 champions as ”arrogant” while Springboks scrumhalf Fourie du Preez claimed opposite number Agustin Pichot was ”irritating”.
Argentina are the underdogs going into the Stade de France clash.
They will be playing in their first World Cup semifinal and have never beaten South Africa in 11 Tests.
But Corleto insists the Springboks do have an Achilles heel.
”Their weakness could be their arrogance. They are always saying they are the best,” said Corleto who scored the only try in their shock 17-12 opening win over France.
”They could be messy like they were against Fiji and we know they are no France, New Zealand or Australia when they kick the ball out.
”South Africa’s backs are as massive as the forwards. Their game is physical, though not because they are in better shape, but because in the one-on-ones they are physically superior to anyone and they play to hit.
”But we are going into the match to win. This team is not going to let anyone step over them.”
Corleto had told his teammates not to be intimidated by the history books which have seen his side draw a blank against the South Africans.
”We have never beaten them. That’s what the stats books say but in this World Cup all the stats have changed. There’s always a first time and hopefully Sunday will be ours.”
Du Preez has ensured that his tussle with Pichot will be an epic.
The two pivotal players will have key roles as the Springboks aim to take another step closer to securing a second world title while the Pumas hope not to freeze in their first semifinal appearance.
”He is quite irritating, he’s always there trying to upset you and obviously he wants to direct his team as he is their leader,” said du Preez of the Pumas skipper.
”He is one of those scrum halves that are in your face the whole time and it is difficult to play against a scrumhalf like that.”
Pichot (33) is a veteran of the Pumas team having played 69 Tests while du Preez is six years younger and has collected 36 caps.
The South African, however, was keen to point out the Argentinian’s strengths.
”His leadership skills and the pressure that he puts on the opposing half back,” said du Preez who insists his side will not underestimate their opponents.
”Argentina have shown in this World Cup that they are a great team and I think they played excepionally well against Ireland,” said du Preez.
”So we know it’s going to be a very tough one and that’s what we wanted in a semifinal of the World Cup.”
”There are going to be a lot of high balls kicked, they don’t play it out of their half. They kick the whole time so definitely that is a strength and their defence has been brilliant.
”I think they have the best defensive record in the tournament, so we must be ready for all those kicks.” – AFP
