Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett has pointed to a significant shift in aerial prowess as a pivotal factor behind Argentina's enhanced performance in their latest Rugby Championship clash with South Africa. Despite a previous heavy defeat, Los Pumas showed considerable improvement, challenging the Springboks intensely before South Africa narrowly secured a 29-27 win at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
This gritty showing against the Springboks, who had dominated them 67-30 in Durban just a week earlier, wasn’t enough to lift Argentina from the bottom of the tournament standings. However, their performance didn't go unnoticed, especially their strategic mastery in the air which had been lacking in their earlier encounter.
Nick Mallett, speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, highlighted the dramatic turnaround in the aerial battles.
"In Durban, we really dominated the aerial contest, so it was just role reversal in this game, and it pricked them,"
Mallett commented. He noted that players like Bautista Delguy stood out by effectively contesting high balls, a stark contrast to their previous encounter where players such as Ethan Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe had prevailed for South Africa.
Mallett further elaborated on the tactical nuances that shifted the momentum in favor of Argentina.
"They gave free space to the guy under the ball. And the guys went up for that with such intent,"
he explained. This allowed Argentine players to disrupt the Springboks' previously successful aerial strategy, positioning them better in subsequent plays and significantly impacting the game's outcome.
Despite the loss, Mallett acknowledged Argentina's improvement, emphasizing the transient nature of sports where dominance can shift quickly from one game to the next. He closed his analysis by reflecting on the broader implications of such improvements, suggesting that while South Africa clinched the championship title for a second consecutive year, Argentina's performance in their final match indicated a promising potential for future contests.
South Africa’s victory ensured their championship win, with the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Los Pumas rounding off the rest of the positions. This game not only crowned the Springboks but also set the stage for a reinvigorated Argentine squad ready to challenge the rugby hierarchy in upcoming fixtures.
2,193 posts
Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett has pointed to a significant shift in aerial prowess as a pivotal factor behind Argentina's enhanced performance in their latest Rugby Championship clash with South Africa. Despite a previous heavy defeat, Los Pumas showed considerable improvement, challenging the Springboks intensely before South Africa narrowly secured a 29-27 win at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
This gritty showing against the Springboks, who had dominated them 67-30 in Durban just a week earlier, wasn’t enough to lift Argentina from the bottom of the tournament standings. However, their performance didn't go unnoticed, especially their strategic mastery in the air which had been lacking in their earlier encounter.
Nick Mallett, speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, highlighted the dramatic turnaround in the aerial battles.
"In Durban, we really dominated the aerial contest, so it was just role reversal in this game, and it pricked them,"
Mallett commented. He noted that players like Bautista Delguy stood out by effectively contesting high balls, a stark contrast to their previous encounter where players such as Ethan Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe had prevailed for South Africa.Mallett further elaborated on the tactical nuances that shifted the momentum in favor of Argentina.
"They gave free space to the guy under the ball. And the guys went up for that with such intent,"
he explained. This allowed Argentine players to disrupt the Springboks' previously successful aerial strategy, positioning them better in subsequent plays and significantly impacting the game's outcome.Despite the loss, Mallett acknowledged Argentina's improvement, emphasizing the transient nature of sports where dominance can shift quickly from one game to the next. He closed his analysis by reflecting on the broader implications of such improvements, suggesting that while South Africa clinched the championship title for a second consecutive year, Argentina's performance in their final match indicated a promising potential for future contests.
South Africa’s victory ensured their championship win, with the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Los Pumas rounding off the rest of the positions. This game not only crowned the Springboks but also set the stage for a reinvigorated Argentine squad ready to challenge the rugby hierarchy in upcoming fixtures.