are a very good side which makes for an interesting game against a Bok side in fine form. I like the way they attack they never take their foot of the pedal.
I think this game will tell us a lot more about the Bok young guns.
Los Pumas are arguably the most naturally talented attacking side in the competition, and have been for many years. Their strike power isn’t in question; what undermines them is consistency and the composure required to close out tight contests. Too often, unforced errors or discipline lapses give inferior opposition a lifeline, as we saw against the Springboks in 2021. Which Argentina shows up on the day is always the question.
At times, they revert to a flat, risk-averse approach, simple phase play, predictable pods, and recycling patterns that rarely trouble an organised defence. But when they lean into their strengths, they can be devastating. Their best rugby is ruthless, fluid, and almost instinctive, built on speed of ball and width of distribution. Watching them in full flow is breathtaking: one clean breach and it feels like a tidal surge overwhelming a fraying defensive line.
The real key to their attack is how effectively they shift the point of contact. They don’t just run hard; they change angles, use late footwork into contact, and bring support runners onto the ball at pace. This unsettles the defensive line and creates second-phase opportunities where they are at their most lethal. Physically, they can live with the Boks - few sides can - but unlike South Africa’s direct power game, Los Pumas bring more variation in strike plays, targeting seams in the line rather than running through the chest.
From a Springbok perspective, the midfield will be the pressure point. Without a settled or genuinely test-quality combination available this weekend, we cannot afford to give Argentina front-foot ball. That means pragmatism: kill their attack at the source. Slow their ruck speed, disrupt their service, and deny them the quick recycling that fuels their fluidity. Even with the loose trio we’re fielding, there’s still enough muscle and craft to dominate the breakdown if the commitment is there.
If South Africa establish that platform, the contest tilts heavily. The Boks have the pace out wide to turn what would otherwise be a tight scrap into a runaway, punishing every Argentinian error with clinical transition play. Combine that with dominance on the floor, and what looks like a close encounter on paper could quickly slide out of Argentina’s reach.
In the end, the Boks should have too much, but only if they impose themselves early. Leave the door open, and Los Pumas have the tools to tear the game apart.
"I think this game will tell us a lot more about the Bok young guns."
Such a pity you have a lead brick at 12, with the young guns. What a anticlimax. Let’s hope AE replaces him quickly.
I guess it's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, who knows, Rassie might be experimenting once more.
The different conditions will make too an expansive approach risky in Durbs.
Well it's hard to say that Los Pumas have made significant progress over the past 20 years. They can still beat anyone on any day, and then get annihilated by the same opponent the next week. That's been their story for many, many years, and until they can string some consistency together, they'll remain a middle of the road carnival side.
Well one th ing is clear and that is the much hated Hagar Erasmus the Horrible who according to Mozart is the worst coach the Springboks ever had is showing again in two matches in a row that records are there to be brokeen and two leading teams in world rugby - like the AB's and now the Pumas - showed how bad the Springboks was in matches.
The shit started in April 2018 when the celebrated Mozart wrote on site that it would have been better for SARU to retain Coetzee as coach than to appoint Erasmus. Since then his stated hate speech was repeated hundreds of times virtually on a daily basis, I will give you just two two examples over the last two weeks - in a clear statement Mozart stated 3 weeks ago is that Erasmus ignored Browne assistance as attack coach. But it was added to by his refusal to bring in St Esterhuizen to replace the useless De Allende - widely supported by site idiots as wel,
When the AB's got their arse kicked in Wellington the site idiots was against led by Mozart - who made a statement that was BS Supreme he said "Dr Lucky" had nothing to do with the victory.
In my own analysis after the test in Aukland I identified 2 problems and that was that the main reason for the loss was the malfunction of ilie at full back and the problems with the haf-back combination of Willams and Pollard, But no the problm in t e team ass due to Du Tout and De Allende who muct be replaced as that will solve all thee problems in the team.
When I wrote about the Aukland test I stated that I am sure that the team to play yesterday was going to be according to the Advanced Computer System for analyzing performance of every player in what they contribute in reality to the team - which was bought by SARU in 2014 and not used by Meyer and Coetzee - but used by Easmus with the aid of Jones as assistant coach - Mozart wrote that Etasmus is too stupid to use any compter system.
My own problem is that Erasmus has one problem and that was that he preferred to overplay some of the older players he trusted and that caused the main fiasco in the first AB test this year, Against the AB's both I pointed out where the real problem in Aukland was with Willie, Pollard and Williams and the scrummy was the real easin for he loss, No it was all De Allende's fault who made mistakes and is a tractor and everything else. He picked Willemse at 12 and then moved him to Full back giving Estrhuizen a chanc e to play at 12 - but in most cases Willemse was NOT palying in the ful back position when he moved into the inside center position when there is where he started attacks one of which he gifted Esterhuizen his second try as a Sprigboks and he ran through the whole deense o score a try,
I had serious reservations about Libbok at flyhalf and I think both the try yesterday and Libbok - always supported by Dave on site was a good enough center o play against the AB's. Said to say I wa wrong about Libbok but he ahd an excellent test in Wellington and again yesterday, So now I believe that my choices at flyhalf are Sacha as no 1, Libbok at 2 and Pollard at 3, . .
Yesterday Sacha put on a test like no other Springbok flyhalf ever did before him and was dservedly the MOM and when Libbok came on to replace Willemse at ful back he had a top class game at full back, Sacha was deservedly the MOM.
Before the test and team was announced I warned that the selection will enmphasize entail defense in the channel through the flyhaf and Argentine inside center where I had reservations and stated hat the only flyhalf would be Sacha and in the cae of Esterhuizen I said he is unlikely to play at center bcause of defense against by the Puma flyhalf and insde center would be a problem since Libbok's denfese is questionable and Esterhuizen was too slow to guard that channell properly.
All the attacks of the Argentine backline floundered yesterday and in he end Sacha was the king of the day forthe Springboks. Another site story was that Du Toit always seems to be on the wing nd what was he doing there strengtening the Mozart claim that he was not worthy of the Player of the Year a second time. I think after Du Toit's performances in the ests thus ar this year he is likely t be the Player of the Year this year again - his only opponent could be Sacha. But that depends on the last four 4 tests to be played this year.
So who would be playing on Saturday in the test in London. My money is on Van den berg at scrumie, Sacha at flyhalf and De Allende as 12.
I hope the atatcks on Erasmus ends now and the idiocy of Mozart and others will stop,
Sacha got me reminiscing about a prediction I made to a colleague back in 2004 or 2005. We were discussing rugby, specifically the Flyhalf position. I recall telling him that one day the Boks would have a very talented colored player as their flyhalf... I didn’t anticipate he’d turn out to be a magician.
We've had a number of very talented "colored" flyhalfs for the Bokke over the years, but Sacha took talented to a new level yesterday.
Sorry Draad, I don't remember, who were they?
I sw Sacha playing for the Under 20 RWC and when others on thsis ste was pontificating about other propsects at flyhalf I was he only one who kept on promoting Sacha as the real deal. Since last year he proved that is a special class act and sddenly site members realized he is a good flyhalf.
But thsis year Sacha was not used by Erasmus properly and whn he did in the match ysterday he proved that he is the ebst flyhalf in the world at present. His first real opportnity to play a full match was yesterday and he proved tha he is a special player.
Talented coloured flyhalves? We've had Earl Rose, Ishmael Dollie, Newman, and the more recent Stickman (Libbok).
Jantjies was good, Manie is no slouch...we rarely have great 10s...Pollard and James being the best after Lem...so IMO Manie is and Janjies was just as talented as most of our 10s ...Sacha has the potential to be great...what he did yesterday was special.
PS, I was always a fan of Errol Tobias...
Agreed Draad - Erol, Jantjies, Libbok all class players
Sacha will be the best of them all
Elton Jantjies was a surrender flag flapping in the wind; Libbok is nothing but an eight-lane highway begging to be driven through. The liabilities tower over the few fleeting positives. But if you prefer fairy tales to facts, then sure, let’s pretend Elton and Stickman belong in the same breath as Butch James or Handré Pollard.
Doos shut the fuck up you racist ignorant cunt
I can count Elton's good tests on the pinky finger of my left hand. Fine provincial flyhalf though.
Pakie, I wasn't a fan of Elton, but he had more than 1 fine game for the Bokke...
And Mac, Manie has his failings, but it is significant that he was the FH for the 2 biggest Allblacks hidings ever...he brings much more to the table than what we lose for playing him...the team as a whole must cope with his deficiencies to be able to benefit from his playmaking abilities...and when things come off, it's glorious to watch...if you can't appreciate that, I can't help you.
Ja prolly 2 or so Draad :)
I've warmed a bit to Manie, but I fully expect him to start creaking again in pressure games. When we're dominant he is pretty handy.