Preview: South Africa v Argentina; Rugby 365

On the face of it the clash between the Springboks and the Pumas at Kings Park is a dead rubber, but there is a bit more to it than that. Both teams have been beaten by Australia and New Zealand in this shortened version of the Rugby Championship, which effectively makes the last match of the tournament a play-off for third place. However, the bigger picture is that we are just six weeks out from the start of the World Cup and both teams are building towards the global showpiece, although they have taken very different approaches to that this week. For the Springboks this is their last home game before the World Cup, and after missing out in the final stages against both the Wallabies and the All Blacks the pressure is on to win at home and take some momentum with them into the 'friendly' in Argentina next week. As a result coach Heyneke Meyer opted for continuity in his selection, with the return of captain Jean de Villiers the only change to the team that was not forced by injury. By contrast Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade has made 11 changes to the side that went down to Australia in Mendoza a fortnight ago as he continues to integrate the European-based players into his side and assess all of his options. Another thing that both teams have in common is that they fell off the pace in the second half of their respective defeats to Australia and New Zealand, so they will both be determined to prove that they can put together an 80-minute performance. Although both teams are renowned for their physicality and set-piece dominance, there have been signs that they are trying to play a more expansive brand of rugby this year. Meyer said that although Argentina did not manage to score many tries against Australia and New Zealand, they have adapted their game and he expects them to play a more positive style on Saturday. "Argentina are playing much more positively, we are also playing more positively. I think South Africa and Argentina because of the influences way back have got more or less the same style. "We have really moved on with trying to be more attacking and move the ball, and with Graham Henry being involved there they are also trying to move the ball. "It is still a tough Test match, we have got respect for them and that is why we have gone with a strong team and we have to win. "It is always going to be physical but both teams want to move the ball around and score tries so I think it is going to be a much more open running game," he said. Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade echoed those sentiments, and added that the challenge for his team will be to play with cohesion despite all of the changes. "We are going to try and run the ball a bit more, but the opposition in this tournament does not always allow us to play that type of game. "We always play to win the game, but we also know it is our first game against the Springboks this year and we have made a lot of changes. "That perhaps is what we have lacked, this way of playing the two halves, not just the first one. We are improving game by game and we are hoping that this weekend we can do that again," he said. This all adds up to what should be an intriguing clash as the Springboks are clearly wary of a Pumas side who represent a potential banana peel, especially as the visitors will probably be able to express themselves without the weight of expectation on their shoulders. Winter is the best time of year in Durban as it does not rain and the humidity is not a factor, so conditions will be good for an open game, it just depends on whether the teams are willing to make the most of it or if they will revert to their more naturally conservative approach. Players to watch: For South Africa: Jesse Kriel has been a revelation at outside centre in the last two matches, and he finds himself of the wing this week where he will be able to link up with mercurial fullback Willie le Roux. Jean de Villers makes his return in the midfield, outside Damian de Allende whose ability to get over the gainline has been key for the Boks on attack. In the forward pack Heinrich Brüssow gets another opportunity at openside flank, and he will be keen to make an impact at the breakdown alongside the likes of Marcell Coetzee and Bismarck du Plessis. Up front tighthead Vincent Koch makes his first start and lock Lodewyk de Jager gets another chance to prove that he should be Victor Matfield's understudy at the World Cup. For Argentina: Experienced flyhalf Juan Martín Hernández will provide his usual pinpoint tactical kicking, and also look to put the likes of outside centre Marcelo Bosch and speedy wing Juan Imhoff in space. Expect flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon to give the Boks a headache at the breakdown and slow their ball down, while experienced loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza will anchor the scrum which is always a strength for the Pumas. Captain Agustín Creevy will lead from the front as usual and will also be the man to watch at the back of the driving maul. Head to head: At flyhalf the experienced Juan Martín Hernández will be up against Handré Pollard who is likely to attack the gainline and commit a few defenders to free up some space for those outside him. In midfield the key duel will be between Marcelo Bosch and Bok skipper Jean de Villiers who will be out to show that he is still up to it at this level having come back from yet another serious injury. Out wide all eyes will be on the match-up between rookie Jesse Kriel and Juan Imhoff who is certainly no slouch himself. Up front Bok tighthead Vincent Koch is sure to have his work cut out for him against the grizzled Marcos Ayerza in the scrums, while at the breakdowns it will be Heinrich Brüssow up against Juan Manuel Leguizamon. Recent results:2014: South Africa won 33-21 in Salta2014: South Africa won 13-6 in Pretoria2013: South Africa won 22-17 in Mendoza2013: South Africa won 73-13 in Soweto2012: 16-16 draw in Mendoza2012: South Africa won 27-6 in Cape Town2008: South Africa won 63-9 in Johannesburg2007: South Africa won 37-13 in Paris2005: South Africa won 34-23 in Buenos Aires2004: South Africa won 39-7 in Beunos Aires Prediction: The Springboks will start as favourites with the dual benefit of continuity in selection and the fac that they are playing at home. The Pumas will crtainly not make things easy for them but the Boks should do enough to win by about 10 points. Teams: South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo. Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Marcos Ayerza.Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Matías Díaz, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Martín Landajo, 2 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino. Date: Saturday, August 8Venue: Kings Park, DurbanKick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 15.05 Argentina time)Expected weather: Sunny and clear, high of 24 with a slight breeze.Referee: Romain Poite (France)Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) By Michael de Vries in Durban@smalldbigV@rugby365com