Preview: Springboks vs Argentina
16 Aug 2012
RYAN VREDE analyses the key match ups and picks the winner from the Test at Newlands this weekend.
The Pumas are a breath of fresh air to a competition that had become stale and uninspiring. They also benefit the Springboks in the sense that their involvement eliminates Australia and New Zealand’s travel advantage, which has been the point of much lamentation in the South African rugby fraternity. No more one-Test hit outs for the Wallabies and Blacks in the Republic. Now they will be tested in a manner they are unaccustomed to. This will make for fascinating viewing.
But while the Springboks will privately be thankful for the effect the Pumas’ inclusion will have, their appreciation and hospitality will be reserved for the after-match function. The Springboks will start their campaign with a comfortable victory. Certainly there are areas of their game that continue to be worrying, and we’ll discuss those shortly, but the Pumas don’t have the personnel or tactical intelligence to exploit those areas in a manner that would facilitate a victory.
Their scrum will be imposing but those who believe it will be so dominant that it will be decisive to the outcome are deluded. The Springboks have a world-class front row and their scrum stood up to stern examination against England, widely regarded to be one of the best scrummaging units in the game. Don’t underestimate the influence the Springboks’ scrum coach Pieter de Villiers will have on readying his forwards for this challenge. He is an astute coach whose influence has already been lauded by the coaching staff and players.
It is the only phase of play they may hold an advantage, with the lineouts being dominated by Andries Bekker and co. The Pumas will look to get their powerful maul rolling at every opportunity. Bekker’s reading of the defensive lineouts will be central to ensuring this doesn’t become a point of concern for his side. He needs to assert himself in a manner he hasn’t managed at any stage of his Test career. I have a gut feel he’ll do so, and take the confidence gained from there through the remainder of the tournament. The lineout is also crucial in the context of the Springboks’ attacking game plan. Don’t be surprised if the bulk of the tries they score are birthed from this set piece.
The gainline and breakdown will be hotly contested but bossed by the hosts. Defensively the Springboks are sound and should stifle the Pumas’ advances at the tackle point, making it difficult for them to execute their attacking strategy and nullify the influence of flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez. Furthermore, in Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira, Marcell Coetzee and Frans Steyn the Springboks have the strike runners on attack to generate the momentum they need to control the match and provide their halfback pair the space and time they need to execute the tactical kicks that will seek to gain favourable field positions.
Francois Hougaard’s kicking game will again come under intense scrutiny and the Pumas are sure to have analysed the manner in which England pressured him into errors in June. With Heyneke Meyer unconvinced about Hougaard’s ability to improve his tactical kicking to the required standard and leaning towards installing Ruan Pienaar, Hougaard needs a performance that will be rewarded with a stay of execution.
Morné Steyn’s situation is not as desperate but Meyer has noted his poor form of late. Meyer does, however, believe that an extended break for Steyn, his first in three years, will rejuvenate him. I hope he is right because a confident Steyn will be essential to their cause in this tournament.
Overall, the Springboks will lack a little synergy but will still be far too good for the Pumas. The margin will narrow in Mendoza next weekend, though.
VREDE’S CALL: Springboks by 18
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73 Comments
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16 Aug 2012, 12:32 pm
Us Dragons gonna walk this.
16 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm
May the best Dragon win.
16 Aug 2012, 12:33 pm
@Staal-1:
Only if they are as fast as you Staal.
16 Aug 2012, 12:34 pm
fighting for the wooden spoon dragons
“The Springboks will start their campaign with a comfortable victory.”
lets hope so
who is the ref? has he booked his flight and escort to the airport yet?
16 Aug 2012, 12:35 pm
Glad JJ is in the mix
Future great I think
16 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm
We need to get a bonus point victory.
Bonus points, as always, will be crucial in deciding the eventual winner.
16 Aug 2012, 12:37 pm
Gold- ……………………………Staal……………………………South Africa. (much boooing). Silver-………………………cane……………..New Zeeeeland……….(much hurray’s).
Bronze……………………Some drugged up Belerussian…….(more booing).
16 Aug 2012, 12:40 pm
@poppa69-4:
Not so sure about the “comfortable win” Popps.
I smell an upset.
16 Aug 2012, 12:42 pm
@cane-7:
Good one
16 Aug 2012, 12:42 pm
@cane-8: that was my point,, we know the Argies have had the holder of the cup to rule them all assisting them…
hence my worries in regards the referee..
the Sourones will be much vengeful if the hobbitses co conspirators overcome the hordes or orcs..
16 Aug 2012, 12:45 pm
why did I ever hire this one?
The office Quasimodo. But he is useful to use as a step when I need to reach the urinal, and doesn’t even moan when I dribble a bit.
16 Aug 2012, 12:46 pm
Paragraph one (1).
“New Zealand’s travel advantage, which has been the point of much lamentation in the South African rugby fraternity…………………………..”
Is “lamentation” another word for whine?
I thought they were little square cakes.
16 Aug 2012, 12:46 pm
@trupisero-11: hahaha…nics changed back…viva revolucion!
16 Aug 2012, 12:48 pm
@Atlas-9:
9th Atlas.
Congratulations on making the final.
16 Aug 2012, 12:49 pm
Best part about the Argies’ inclusion is the trip to Buenos Aires. Such a cool city – hope the visiting teams get to see a bit of it.
And, given the huge popularity of teams like the Boks and the AB’s there, wouldn’t it be amazing to try and host a game or two at one of the big football grounds, like Bocca Juniors or River Plate?
16 Aug 2012, 12:51 pm
@trupisero-11:
Who exactly are you dribbling on Trup.
And from what *******.
16 Aug 2012, 12:53 pm
@katman-15: You’ve got some talent here katters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGAVRQ-Z4pg&feature=share
16 Aug 2012, 12:53 pm
********* = or if ace
16 Aug 2012, 12:54 pm
@katman-15: Hey boet, breaking news, Lions out for a year, King in next year.
Ill send you a Stormers jersey for next season??
16 Aug 2012, 12:54 pm
@cane-14:
It’s just an honour to participate
16 Aug 2012, 12:54 pm
@cane-16: was supposed to be a Keo impression but the buggers have changed the nics again
16 Aug 2012, 12:56 pm
@cane-14: @Atlas-20: looks like trupisero is doing the drug testing
16 Aug 2012, 13:01 pm
@poppa69-22:
God help us all
16 Aug 2012, 13:04 pm
@trupisero-21:
there is always one person left without a chair when the music stops.
16 Aug 2012, 13:06 pm
@Atlas-20:
It’s time Keo “came out” and shelled out a few Medals.
After heats, semi’s etc.
Heat One: Stirrer of the last 4 years-
Lane One……….katman.
Lane two………..Katman.
Lane three…….katman.
Lane4……………katman.
Lane 5…………katman.
Lane 6………….katman,
lane 7 …………dawn.
lane8…………..katman.
lane 9…………..vacant.
16 Aug 2012, 13:06 pm
SOURCE
European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011DEFINITION
Number of sexual assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.Crime Statistics > Rapes (most recent) by country
# 1 France: 10,277 2009
Crime in France
# 2 Germany: 7,292 2009
Crime in Germany
# 3 Russia: 6,208 2009
Crime in Russia
# 4 Sweden: 4,901 2009
Crime in Sweden
# 5 Argentina: 3,276 2008
Crime in Argentina
# 6 Belgium: 2,786 2009
Crime in Belgium
# 7 Philippines: 2,585 2009
Crime in Philippines
# 8 Spain: 2,437 2009
Crime in Spain
# 9 Chile: 2,233 2009
Crime in Chile
# 10 Lesotho: 1,878 2009
Crime in Lesotho
# 11 Poland: 1,611 2009
Crime in Poland
# 12 Japan: 1,582 2009
Crime in Japan
# 13 New Zealand: 1,308 2009
Crime in New Zealand
# 14 Kazakhstan: 1,298 2009
Crime in Kazakhstan
# 15 Israel: 1,243 2009
Crime in Israel
# 16 Sudan: 1,189 2009
Crime in Sudan
# 17 Morocco: 1,130 2009
# 40 – South Africa ….
NZ is #2 in crime also! dangerous cannibals!!!
16 Aug 2012, 13:08 pm
Stormersboy hitting on Katman.
Typical gerbil stuffing backspitting stormers supporter.
16 Aug 2012, 13:09 pm
popp69, boet, no means no!!!
16 Aug 2012, 13:11 pm
Argentina’s scrum is not what it was in their heyday, SA’s front row will more than cope.
Henry has spent time trying to make Argentina play an alien running game so I think this will be even easier than expected for SA.
16 Aug 2012, 13:11 pm
They fixed the nics!
Thank goodness.
16 Aug 2012, 13:12 pm
@26
Why post rape stats?
Not cool,a tragedy wherever it happens.
16 Aug 2012, 13:14 pm
@grant100-26:
According to your stats grantie…………………………………..the average Frog is sexually assaulted 102 times a year.
So……… is this assault or culture.
16 Aug 2012, 13:15 pm
@grant100-26:
Why you posting that?
I have seen a table that you guys would not be proud off but unlike you i wont post it.
Its all on the internet, we can read.
I have the 2012 facts, you are so way off its not funny and this is per capita.
But again no need to post it.
16 Aug 2012, 13:17 pm
“”sexual assaults per 100,000 population.
# 1 France: 10,277 2009
10.2 million divided by 100 thousand.
you do the math.
16 Aug 2012, 13:26 pm
@cane-34: uhm, they all have 2009 at the end which, if you had a brain bigger than a turltle ****, would realise it is the year…..
16 Aug 2012, 13:26 pm
A quick Google on this subject shows that it is best left alone.
Especially by the grant Impostor.
16 Aug 2012, 13:27 pm
@trupisero-35:
Ooops………………………………………………….and here was me thinking of moving to France.
16 Aug 2012, 13:30 pm
@trupisero-35:
ahem
16 Aug 2012, 13:31 pm
@cane-36:
Yeah i think its disgusting someone like this clown Grant can post something like its a competition to see who has the less rapes per year. Does he really find this a win??
Shows what this guy is all about. In fact it shows that he finds rapes etc a joke.
Makes you wonder what he does for a job.
16 Aug 2012, 13:32 pm
@trupisero-35:
Does it really matter?
You have a fckhead of a person on here making a competition out of rapes but you find the time to correct Cane??
oh boy makes me wonder.
16 Aug 2012, 13:34 pm
@Hurricane-39:
exactly he reminds me of poops.
16 Aug 2012, 13:37 pm
@gunther-41: no gunther, if Id posted that you would all have attacked me for it by now… the fact his “stats” are only for “reported cases” is quite sad..
I can enlighten him if you wish?
16 Aug 2012, 13:39 pm
@Hurricane-39: That sicko needs to be plonked down in a room of sexual assault survivors in order to gain some perspective…..
I always say, a man who makes light of rape, would probably find it easy to rape.
This Grant100 fellow is critically ill. I hope his passing is quick, for our sake, not his.
16 Aug 2012, 13:39 pm
It’s wonderful that nobody can hide behind fake nics anymore.
16 Aug 2012, 13:40 pm
@Hurricane-39: ignore….
@Hurricane-40: just trying to uplift a keewee in the art of reading and deduction
16 Aug 2012, 13:41 pm
@poppa69-42:
you are both sickos.
16 Aug 2012, 13:41 pm
@Hurricane-40: he wasnt correcting Cane, was pointing out grant100s obvious mistake
16 Aug 2012, 13:42 pm
@gunther-46: yep, just like you mate, you cant hide your obvious racism gunther, I can see right through you..
16 Aug 2012, 13:43 pm
@trupisero-45:
lol oh is that what is was….my mistake, carry on mate, i also might learn something.
16 Aug 2012, 13:45 pm
@gunther-46: thats funny, your countryman posts the stats and you attack me when I never even brooched the subject??
you keep being the better man gunther, glad to see I can get the g.orilla in the mist once again..
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