South Africa vs. Argentina: Where the Game Will Be Won

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 16, 2013

commentComment        

In previewing Argentina's second season in the Rugby Championship, we know one thing for certain: Statistically, the chances of them winning their opening clash against South Africa on Saturday are very much against them.

The Pumas have never beaten the Springboks in 15 meetings and the odds are stacked against them improving that win-loss ratio when they meet at Soccer City in Soweto.

They may have held the Boks to a 16-16 draw the last time they met, but they were driven by the added passion from it being their home debut in the competition and South Africa will have learnt from that clash. 

Several factors are likely to decide the outcome of the game in Soweto. 

 

Breakdown Contest 



While the Pumas' back row is missing inspirational skipper and star player Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe through injury, the Boks have selected a trio which could serve them through to the World Cup in two years' time. 

Number eight Duane Vermeulen was arguably the Boks' star performer in last year's tournament and he is flanked by Francois Louw and the giant Willem Alberts.  

Crucial to the Pumas' chances will be preventing them securing quick ball for their talented backs and that is why the absence of Lobbe could hit them so hard. 

Pablo Matera moves flanks to cover Lobbe's place, and while replacement Juan Martin Leguizamon is an experienced operator there is no denying the Pumas will miss their skipper's exceptional defence.

Pumas hooker Eusebio Guinazu and wing Horacio Agulla also know Louw well from playing together for English club Bath and have identified him as a threat at the breakdown.

As Guinazu told SA Rugby Magazine: 

You just can't let him get over the ball, you can't give him a chance because he will punish you. 

We've just got to make sure tha...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!