South Africa vs Argentina - Semi Final Match Preview
South Africa have never lost a Test match against Argentina - but Springboks skipper John Smit is wary of a powerful Pumas challenge in their World Cup semi-final.
Both teams will arrive at Stade de France with unbeaten tournament records.
South Africa comfortably topped England’s qualifying pool, smashing the world champions 36-0 on their way through, while Argentina dominated a group that also included France and Ireland.
All 11 previous games between South Africa and Argentina went the the Springboks’ way, including seven wins in Buenos Aires, where teams like England and France have previously come unstuck.
Smit though, has urged caution as South Africa look to reach their first World Cup final since 1995.
He said: “We have tweaked one or two things for this game, and Sunday will tell whether we’ve analysed them (Argentina) in the right way.
“Time will tell if we have done enough homework.
“We are under no illusions that it will be tough after what they have done in this World Cup.
“What I like about them is they don’t rely on individuals.
“They have some fantastic individuals, but the way they play, they work as a team. They have fantastic forwards and backs that chase the ball and put their bodies on the line.”
Springboks coach Jake White has made one change for the game, recalling fit-again prop CJ van der Linde following his recovery from a knee injury, while Argentina retain the side that accounted for quarter-final opponents Scotland.
South Africa would realistically expected to meet Australia or New Zealand in the final next Saturday, but both made quarter-final exits at the respective hands of England and France.
And Smit added: “It makes you realise what the World Cup means when you get to the knockout phase.
“The quarter-finals are one of the hardest rounds to play. Of the eight teams involved, I don’t think anyone played their best rugby.
“To see the two top teams go out, it makes you realise there is a lot to play for. They were beaten by two teams who are still in, and who can play under pressure.”
Performing under pressure was something South Africa successfully managed during the closing quarter of a tricky quarter-final against Fiji, scoring 17 unanswered points, and they have now replaced New Zealand as tournament favourites.
Springboks full-back Percy Montgomery said: “There has been a lot of planning since 2004. Jake (White) has done a lot of building for this match at the Stade de France.
“We’ve just got to keep the ball on Sunday, that’s the most important bit.
“Argentina’s strength is their forwards, but they have pretty good backs too. Anything can happen.
“We’ve got to get them to play the way we want to play, and force them to play the way we want to play.”
Felipe Contepomi insists Argentina’s long-term future must be as part of an expanded Tri-Nations tournament to ensure their World Cup legacy is not wasted.
In Contepomi and fly-half Juan-Martin Hernandez, Argentina boast two of the five-man shortlist nominated for the International Rugby Board’s player of the year award.
And this week IRB chairman Dr Syd Millar reacted to Argentina’s rise - which has included wins over England, France, Ireland and Scotland in the last 12 months - by declaring they cannot be “neglected” anymore.
But the question is: Where do the Pumas fit?
In a new Seven Nations tournament on the basis their players are all based in Europe, or alongside southern hemisphere powers Australia, New Zealand and South Africa?
Contepomi accepts the short-term answer would be to join the Six Nations - but he does not think that would help the development of Argentinian rugby.
He is anxious Argentina build on the legacy of their recent achievements to ensure this World Cup campaign is not remembered as a flash in the pan.
“I think if we go to the southern hemisphere we have to be based in the southern hemisphere. We have to have a professional tournament at home and develop a professional structure,” said Contepomi.
“If it is in the northern hemisphere it could be good for the short term, for this team of the Pumas, but you will be depending on many European teams contracting Argentine players.
“If, in 20 years’ time, that doesn’t happen then you will have a very big problem. You have to make the way of growing Argentinian rugby, just not putting the Pumas in the competition.”
Argentina will continue their “Latino dream” - as John Eales described it this week - against the Springboks in Paris.
Win or lose, the run to the semi-finals has made a huge impression back home, where `Puma-mania’ is even sidelining football which can only be good for rugby.
“This is an opportunity that I don’t know when Argentinian rugby will have again,” said Contepomi.
“It is great news to know that rugby is the main subject for this month back home.
“We know that people have always been very supportive and now there is a lot of people who have never seen rugby and they see something in this team and that is good for Argentina.”
The Pumas were jaded in the closing stages of their quarter-final win over Scotland last weekend after two huge performances in the pool victories against France and Ireland.
The players have admitted as much and coach Marcelo Loffreda eased the load this week to help the squad recharge their batteries.
Fatigue could prove a key factor but no-one who has watched Argentina through this World Cup could deny their levels of passion and commitment - and that includes Springboks coach Jake White.
“They are not just playing for the Rugby World Cup, they are playing for rugby in Argentina. Everyone knows they are looking for opportunities to play internationally and keep their players on top,” he said.
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