Preview: Argentina vs Springboks

Preview: Argentina vs Springboks

24 Aug 2012

RYAN VREDE analyses the key match-ups and picks the winner in Saturday’s Test.

Nothing that happened at Newlands was a surprise – not even the fact that the Springboks were patchy on attack and failed to bag the bonus-point. I don’t think that is going to be as decisive in the final analysis. That school of thought assumes that the Springboks will be close to New Zealand points-wise going into the final Test of the tournament in Soweto. This won’t be the case. The Blacks will already have bagged the title by then.

The Pumas will undoubtedly be buoyed by passionate home support and you can expect a reasonably strong challenge from their forwards. Their heavies would, however, have to make an exponential improvement in this facet of play to stand a chance of victory. That level of improvement is beyond them in a seven-day turnaround. One can also reasonably confidently assume the Springboks’ forwards would have made gains towards greater synergy.

Defence will be the root of their success, with their dominance there in general play ensuring consistently poor ball for a backline shorn of their most potent attacking weapon, Juan Martin Hernandez. Furthermore, the Springboks defied expectations that they would struggle at the set pieces and I don’t believe the Pumas will improve markedly in this regard. Halting the rolling maul will be a priority and much of this responsibility rests with Andries Bekker, whose reading of the defensive lineouts made the Pumas’ hookers resemble tanked-up darts players at times last week.

On attack, the inclusion of Jacques Potgieter at blindside flank will amplify the Springboks’ punch at the gainline, an area they dominated in Cape Town. This is important in light of what they lose in this regard with the absence of Bismarck du Plessis. The likes of Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Beast Mtawarira, Willem Alberts and Frans Steyn will be central to getting the Springboks the momentum they need in the collisions to ensure the back division has the space and time to execute the course of action they deem most appropriate. That said, the ball protection at the breakdown was inconsistent at Newlands and they must remedy this shortcoming.

The Springboks’ halfback pair played well in their opener and Francois Hougaard in particular must replicate his largely accurate tactical kicking for the Springboks’ game plan to work as envisioned. I think it will, and while this victory won’t be as comfortable as what they achieved last week in terms of the physical examination they face, the scoreline will reflect the Springboks’ superiority.

VREDE’S CALL: Springboks by 12


369 Comments

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  • 301.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 23:58 pm

    @Big Hit-299:
    Spot on BH
    The maul is an important part of Union.
    But parts of it need to be cleaned up. So much obstruction can happen in the maul

  • 302.victoriabok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 01:13 am

    @Hurricane-300:

    Just got tired of the usual suspects always yarpies losing, whining blah blah blah

    So I went for the hard and repeated kick in the nuts

    I’ve got no problem with the AB’s or their fans, just the pricks who come to keo to troll

    One of my favourite players ever is Fitzie

  • 303.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 01:37 am

    @Jeraldjay-209:

    I would have preferred if Lance Armstrong fought it. He built his whole legacy on never to stop fighting and now he just gave up although still claiming his innocence.

    What now? Will they hand his 7 Tour de France titles to the second place finisher? Will Jan Ulrich, who finished 3 times in second position in the Tour to Lance, now receive three more titles despite the fact that he was also previously caught doping and left the sport under a cloud. How do we know he and the others who finished second to Lance were clean?

    Perhaps, more importantly, how can we still trust anybody in sport? How do we know the Jamaican sprinters are really clean (remember Lance never failed a dope test despite being the most tested athlete in the history of sport)

    How do we know all the rugby players who are becoming bigger, faster and heavier each year are all clean? The doping tests in rugby are a joke in comparison to the stringent tests in cycling so I supose that under the necessary “medical supervision” it is quite easy to use illegal substances or steroids especially during the off season.

    Personally I feel sad about Armstrong- one of the biggest heroes in the history of sport- right up there at the top with the likes of M uhammed Ali, Pele, Carl Lewis, Michael Jordan, Roger Federer …….. fark, another hero gone. Who is next?

  • 304.corporal punishment: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 06:57 am

    Bakkies et al re AB’s cheating: have u ever been involved in competitive team sports? Cheating (jersey pulling, sly elbows knees kicks etc on your opposition, claiming foul’s, penalties etc that u know tone false, offside play etc etc) is sadly a part of every competitive sport I have been involved in or watched around the world.

    Rugby is no different, and NZ and sa rugby are as bad as each other.

    Kiwis who believe NZ rugby is clean are dreamers who royally cheese me off. Ditto south Africans – god man, your players can be filthy! I don’t like it, but that is the way competitive sport is played from a v young age.

    This site would be much more enjoyable if all this talk about one side or other being cheats was dropped, and we talked about rugby instead.

  • 305.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:48 am

    So… who does this humble poster support this morning?

    I know…

    Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie….

    Oi, Oi, Oi…!!!

  • 306.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:49 am

    Once a jolly swagman…

  • 307.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:51 am

    Camped by a billabong…

  • 308.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:52 am

    Under the shade of a coolibah tree…

  • 309.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:52 am

    And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled

  • 310.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:53 am

    You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me.

  • 311.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:55 am

    Traveling in a fried-out combie
    On a hippie trail, head full of zombie…

  • 312.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:56 am

    I met a strange lady, she made me nervous
    She took me in and gave me breakfast

  • 313.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:56 am

    @corporal punishment-304:
    Sorry but bakkies brings up his hatred for Kiwi rugby every thread.
    He talks like South Africa never do it. In fact all the super rugby wins by South Africa were won without cheating, well thats what he said.
    Point is you cant change Bakkies, he has a problem and seems to vent it every thread.
    He has his supporters like HG and Gunther, but they are only supporting cos they like trolling.
    If any one thinks Bakkies is spot on, they also have a huge problem. We all know every team tries to get away with everything they can, even these so called clean South African teams.

  • 314.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:56 am

    And she said,

    “Do you come from a land down under?
    Where women glow and men plunder?

  • 315.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:56 am

    Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?
    You better run, you better take cover.”

  • 316.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 07:59 am

    @Heavens Game-312:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA1m7hF5pcI&feature=related

  • 317.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:00 am

    @Robzim-303:
    Yeah Rob. Yesterday was a sad day in the history of sport.

    By him giving up, the US Anti Doping Agency assumed his admitting guilt. It has made the history and traditions of the Tour de France a farce. How do we know whether their have been any legitimate winners. Should Pedro Del Gado and Indurain also hand in their yellow jerseys.

    But what pisses me off the most is the good work Armstrong has done after the 7 wins, through the Livestrong campaign and all the charities his involved with, which has enriched so many lives.

  • 318.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:04 am

    @Hurricane-316: Lol… wtf was that Tika Tonu … The bullfrog mating dance?
    or
    The maori version of “We all stand together”?

    Boom, boom, boom…
    Win or lose, sink or swim
    One thing is certain well never give in
    Side by side, hand in hand
    We all stand together

    So sweet :lol:

  • 319.corporal punishment: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:08 am

    @313 hurricane: yes it is pretty tedious as is all of the rubbish about refereeing conspiracies.

    I’m looking forward to the games tonight. Expect the boks to win comfortably tonight, ditto the AB’s. This will set things up nicely for the bok v ab clashes later in the comp – winner take all?

  • 320.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:09 am

    @Heavens Game-318:
    Keep your beastiality thoughts to yourself, if need go watch the animal channel, get some release and blog when feeling better

  • 321.whatever: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:10 am

    yawn, don’t you ever get tired of doing the rain dance Hurri?

  • 322.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:12 am

    @corporal punishment-319:
    Yeah, it seems to be constant ref bashing if the team they are not supporting is winning.
    Seems all quiet when their team wins.
    But it does look like a Bok and AB showdown, but the Boks need to get past there nemisis Ozzie first.

  • 323.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:12 am

    @Hurricane-320: :lol: I am 100%. Looking forward to a bit of Gold rush this morning… You?

  • 324.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:13 am

    @Hurricane-316: At our weddings the men dance with the women. :smile:

  • 325.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:14 am

    @whatever-321:
    Nope i dont like haka, i love them. Its my heritage and ancestors. No problem is there whatever??

  • 326.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:15 am

    @Heavens Game-323: how about a name change bet? or even a cant blog for a week bet?

    you can have the Aussies, I’ll even give you a 7.5 point start..

  • 327.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:17 am

    @Heavens Game-323:
    lol
    That was quick.
    Well i hope Ozzie bring it. If they do it would seem you guys will also be in trouble facing a Wallabie that just beat us.

    @stormer in a teacup-324:
    :-)
    Well we try and involve your rugby team when the Boks and ABs clash but you guys just stand there, join in at least.

  • 328.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:18 am

    @Hurricane-325:
    Deep down all Saffa’s love the Haka.

  • 329.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:19 am

    @poppa69-326: Dont be farken absurd… Of course them Ozzies gonna win… I dont want to be traumatizing Poppa today… :lol:

  • 330.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:21 am

    @Hurricane-327: I look forward to Quade clubbing Reechie again… The outrage! :lol:

  • 331.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:21 am

    @Heavens Game-329: like yesterday you mean? hehe

    mate, Im not suggesting you have go to France if they lose, just a name change? I understand if your squeaky bum has suddenly puckered up, but I would have thought you would have loved the opportunity to enforce a weeks lay off for me..

    could it be that your prediction is all hot air (now thats a surprise :lol: )

  • 332.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:21 am

    @Jeraldjay-328:
    :-)
    we know, we dance and stick our tongues out for you all.

  • 333.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:22 am

    @Heavens Game-330:
    Of course you would, you are South African. :-)

  • 334.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:25 am

    @Hurricane-332:
    What do you call the throat slitting version. The one the AB’s hold back for big games.

  • 335.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:26 am

    @Heavens Game-329: @Heavens Game-330: Kick him Quade! :lol:

  • 336.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:26 am

    @Jeraldjay-334:

    kapo o pango

  • 337.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:28 am

    @Jeraldjay-334:
    Kapa o pango
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgIIi3pzl9E&feature=related

    This is the first time it was done……and guess what against the Boks

  • 338.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:28 am

    Aussie Classic from Aussie Crawl:

    Meet me down by the jetty landing
    Where the the pontoons bump and sway
    I see the others reading, standing
    As the Manly Ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay
    Hear the Captain blow his whistle
    So long she’s been away
    I miss our early morning wrestle
    Not a very Happy way to start the day
    She don’t like That kind of behaviour
    She don’t like That kind of behaviour

    So, throw down your guns
    Don’t be so reckless
    Throw down your guns
    Don’t be so

    Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
    Base camp too far away
    A Russian sun beneath the Arctic
    Burke and Wills and camels
    Initials in the tree
    She don’t like That kind of behaviour
    She don’t like That kind of behaviour

    So, throw down your guns
    Don’t be so reckless
    Throw down your guns
    Don’t be so

  • 339.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:28 am

    @poppa69-331: Hehehe… I am convinced the Ozzies going to embarrass the ABs…

    Barnes gonna run all over Money Bill Williams…

  • 340.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:31 am

    @poppa69-336:
    In afrikaans that could be directly translated to “hit with a machete.”

  • 341.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:31 am

    @Te Rangatira-338: Top of the morning to you too Te Rangi…

    Come join the party… :lol:

  • 342.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:32 am

    @Te Rangatira-338:
    how about some classics from the Ozzie bands split enz or crowded house ;-)

  • 343.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:33 am

    @Heavens Game-341:
    Good day to you HG……thanks for the invite.

  • 344.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:34 am

    There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost
    But you’ll never see the end of the road
    While you’re traveling with me

    Hey now, hey now, don’t dream it’s over

    Chaps if the Ozzies win, dont dream its over… okay?

  • 345.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:35 am

    @Heavens Game-339: heheh yet not brave enough to have a lil friendly wager? ok then :shock:

    @Jeraldjay-340: its not actually a throat slit, it is symbolic of drawing in the breathe of life into the heart and lungs..

    the one Hurri posted, John Smit, the Springbok captain who faced the debut performance of “Kapa o Pango”, said after the match: “To stand there and watch it for the first time was a privilege”

  • 346.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:36 am

    I think we’ll see this haka tonight actually..

  • 347.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:37 am

    @Heavens Game-344:
    Now he is singing a kwiw bands songs :shock:

  • 348.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:38 am

    @poppa69-345:

    Lyrics for Kiwi’s favourite Death Metal band :

    We’re all young and naive still
    We require certain skill
    The motive changes like the wind
    Hard to control when it begins

    Aaah sweet :lol:

  • 349.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:39 am

    @Hurricane-337:
    I think you’ve been beaten twice doing the Kapa o pango.

    Once by the Boks when Frans landed those 60m kicks and the other was against the Wallabies in the Tr-Nations decider last year.

    Oh yes and technically in the RWC final last year. :lol:

  • 350.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 08:40 am

    @Heavens Game-348: you do like our music dont you HG? I think thats sweet..

    must be all those kiwis who have been teaching you guys how to play, their influence appears to be gaining on you..

    what next? you going to be preparing a hangi?

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