Argentina aim for Nelspruit upset

Editor

The Pumas will be buoyed by the fact that they were able to beat the Springboks at home in last year's Rugby Championship ahead of the teams' rematch in Nelspruit on Saturday. 

Argentina beat South Africa 37-25 in Durban, last year, the first time the South Americans have beaten the Springboks. 

The Pumas' goals in the Rugby Championship is to win two games and they have set their sights on surprising the Springboks in their first game of the tournament

"We have achieved some goals in the past year. Now our goal is to get two victories in the Rugby Championship‚" Pablo Matera told the Business Day.

"Having beaten SA last year‚ it would be great to beat them again‚ and to start (the competition) with a victory."

The Argentine loose forward said that from the Boks' series with Ireland it is clear they want to play with ball in had.

"You can see that SA is now playing more with the ball (in hand)‚ and not the old direct and physical game. They have new moves‚ playing the ball more and playing a more dynamic game‚" added Matera.

"I’m sure it will be difficult (to adjust) because they were so used to a different game. Change is always difficult. But I am sure it is a positive thing and SA will grow a lot‚ we saw that with the Lions.

"They were the only South African team that plays like New Zealand teams — they play from every area of the field. It was amazing. Yet they still had the physical aspects of South African teams also.

"They were really complete and I think that is what can make the Springboks the most powerful team."