Pumas to 'raise the bar' for Boks

South Africa can expect a far more 'intense' onslaught from Argentina in their return Test on Saturday.

The Springboks and Pumas will go head-to-head in the second round of the Rugby Championships in Mendoza, after the Boks had eased to a 27-6 win over the Argentineans at Newlands last Saturday.

Puma front row forward Eusebio Guinazu, speaking from the team's training base in Buenos Aires, said they are "focussed" on lifting their game now that they know what to expect from the South Africans.

Last Saturday's historic Test in Cape Town – Argentina's first appearance at Newlands – was the Pumas' debut in any competition outside the World Cup.

And they are fully aware of just how better they need to be.

"It's a mixture of feelings," Guinazu said.

"We are happy that Los Pumas now have an annual competition, but there is still the bittersweet taste of defeat.

"We always enter a game to win, but we know we are in a high-level competition."

The hooker, who can also play prop, said they are determined to give the Boks a much tougher work-out in Mendoza – the hometown of Guinazu.

"Without doubt, the match on Saturday will be more difficult, because they realized that we are a team to respect," he said.

"We also have a clearer picture of how the Boks play and know it will be a game of tremendous intensity."