A preview of Saturday's Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and Argentina including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

South Africa vs. Argentina, Rugby Championship – Saturday 14 August, 17:05

 

The dust has barely settled after an intense Lions Tour and it’s already time for the Springboks to get back into action! After their absence last year our boys back in the Rugby Championship and will start off their campaign at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday against Argentina.

 

South Africa

 

After three very physical test matches against the Lions Nienaber has given the Springbok side an extreme makeover with 10 changes in all. In the forwards only Kolisi, Etzebeth, De Jager and Wiese remain and Cobus Rienach will be the only back that returns after last week. Joseph Dweba has been given his first test cap at hooker alongside Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, while Kwagga will also feature at flank.

 

Jantjies, Fassi, Frans Steyn, Kriel, Nkosi and Willemse will make up numbers 10-15 and will have their work cut out for them as the new backline. I understand Nienaber’s need to develop depth, but for me this is not a great backline. I would have liked to have seen some continuity be including the likes of De Allende or Pollard again. I have my doubts about Jantjies at 10 and I suspect that he will be replaced later on in the match by Morne Steyn, while Frans Steyn is well past his prime and I don’t see him contributing much to the attack or defense. The only thing working for him is his powerful boot and with the new 50/22 rule in this year’s competition we could see him trying to win a few lineouts for the Boks with his kicks. Nkosi and Fassi on the wings are lightning fast and the right guys to get past the Argentinian defense, but the big question for me is if the backline can operate smoothly enough to provide them with quick ball.

 

Marvin Orie and Dan du Preez are the only two new faces on the bench. At least most of the regular Bomb Squad are available to come to the rescue when things start to go south, something the selectors did get right. The question is whether or not it will be too late for them to make an impact?

 

Argentina

 

The Pumas were last in action a month ago in Wales and did a pretty good job while they were over there, winning one test and drawing the other. Sure they were playing a Wales team that were missing some players due to the Lions tour but for me this was still a result they can be proud of. The Pumas have only lost one of their last 7 matches which include a couple of draws against Australia, as well as wins against New Zealand and Wales amongst others. It is never a good idea to underestimate Argentina. Although Nienaber insists that he isn’t doing just that by naming so many changes in his side I have to disagree and I feel like it’s going to come back to haunt him.

 

The forward pack has remained exactly the same as the pack that defeated Wales last month and features the likes of Chaparro and Montoya in the front row, as well as big guns Matera and Isa in the loose trio. The pack looked really solid in their last outing, particularly at scrum time and I see them creating some worry amongst the Bok pack early on in the match. I would consider their pack stronger than South Africa’s and until some of the replacements come on for the hosts I see them dominating the scrums and breakdowns.

 

The visitors are hoping to match the physicality of the Boks by bringing in Ezcurra at scrumhalf in place of Cubelli, while the rest of the backline remains the same and features Sanchez at flyhalf, as well as Moroni and Delguy on the wings. Nico Sanchez was instrumental in Argentina’s win against New Zealand last year. In addition to his reliable boot you can expect him making a few plays on Saturday and testing the Springbok line. Expect a big performance from De La Fuente at centre who can most certainly crack the Bok defense by outpacing Steyn and Kriel in the midfield.

 

Prediction

 

I think that Nienaber has got this one completely wrong by making so many changes. The bad selection along with a bit of a hangover from the Lions series will see the Boks putting in a pretty poor performance. Will it result in them losing the match? I can’t say for certain but, if they do manage to get the win it’s not going to be by much. Argentina have covered the handicap in two out of their last three matches and I expect it to happen again on Saturday. The line is set at +8.5 for Argentina and I am more than happy to jump on board. If the visitors can catch the Boks off guard early on in the game we could see Montoya go over with the rolling maul so I will back him to score the first try, while I expect big man Dan du Preez to make an impact in the second half and could find himself crossing the line.

 

BetOlimp Best Bets

 

Argentina +8.5 – 1.81
HT/FT – Argentina/South Africa – 5.40
First Tryscorer: Julian Montoya – 17.00
Anytime Tryscorer: Dan du Preez – 5.00

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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