Springboks haven't forgotten Battle of Santiago del Estero
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick still vividly remembers the Battle of Santiago del Estero in 2024 and is very wary of the threat Argentina poses in London on Saturday.
Stick said the loss of that day is still vivid in his mind and said the Springboks could face a similar ‘tough day at the office.’
In the 2024 Rugby Championship match in Santiago del Estero, the Springboks lost to Argentina 28-29, denying them a chance to clinch the title that day.
Despite a 17-point lead, Argentina came back to win with a late penalty, securing a historic win against all three championship opponents in one tournament and keeping their own title hopes alive. The Springboks ultimately won the Rugby Championship in the following match in Nelspruit.
“These guys, they like to live off the scraps, they like to live off the loose moments,” Stick told reporters on Friday.
“What happened to us last year in Santiago del Estero, the passage of 20 minutes, where we’re just not at our best and they’ve capitalised and punished us in those 20 minutes and we lost the game,” he said.
“So, that’s the nature of the Argentine team. On a good day, they can punish you.”
Argentina has been the comeback king this season. Following their 24-41 loss to the All Blacks in Cordoba, they came back with a bang for their 29-23 victory in Buenos Aires.
Similarly, after their heartbreaking 24-28 loss against Australia, they turned it around in Sydney by winning 28-26.
Stick has warned that the Los Pumas are a passionate side that never gives up.
“Argentina always responds strongly. They lost to the All Blacks and then beat them the next week, same with Australia. We’d be stupid not to learn from that.
“They’ll be desperate, and they’ve picked quality players. If we switch off, they’ll punish us.
“We need a solid set-piece foundation, a balanced kicking game, and to pitch up mentally. If we do that, we’ll give ourselves the best chance.”
“We’ve studied them,” Stick said.
“They don’t have many Test caps, but like a lot of their backline, they come from sevens backgrounds, so we know their profiles and strengths. If we’re not at our best, they’ll punish us.
“They still have experienced players around them. [Centre Santiago] Chocobares has been outstanding, [winger Juan Cruz] Mallía is there, [flanks Marcos] Kremer and [Pablo] Matera are world-class. So it’s going to be tough.”
The Boks dominated the second half at Kings Park after leading 25-23 at the break, but Stick wants an 80-minute performance this time.
“Last week there were too many soft penalties, like offsides, that kept them in the game,” he said. “That can’t happen again. We know our pressure points and where we want to put Argentina under strain, but we must be accurate and disciplined.”
Captain Siya Kolisi was in accordance with his coach, adding: “In broken play, they are excellent at taking their opportunities. I watched them against New Zealand and Australia, attacking from their own goal line to score. You have to be alert at all times.
“They are professionals. They did not take a break after playing in Australia; they came straight to South Africa and did not go home to visit their families.
“You can see how connected and united they are as a team in everything that happens on the field. If there is a scuffle, they are there as a group. They have been very impressive this year.”
With the match being played in London, the Boks are expecting a strong turnout from expatriate South Africans.
“It is only an advantage if we make use of it,” Kolisi said. “I don’t know how big it will be because there are Argentines all over the world, and it doesn’t matter what numbers they are in – you will definitely hear them the whole game.”
“We are looking forward to seeing South Africans. Hopefully, they come out in numbers. We have been blessed wherever we have been – all around the world, South Africans support us. Hopefully, it will be the same, and we can do the job for them.”
