Balancing WP backs is a ‘good problem’
THE GENERAL narrative for a team heading West to face Argentina on their home ground is about just how tough it is.
The Pumas have fashioned a real fortress of rugby at home and it doesn’t matter if it is the Lions, Sharks, Chiefs or Waratahs going over to face the Jaguares in Super Rugby, or to a bigger extent, the Springboks, All Blacks and Wallabies taking on the Pumas, it is never a cakewalk.
In Durban, before the first Test, Bok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot was already talking up the Argentinians, especially at home, remarking that he has close friends over there and it is astonishing the pride that is expelled when the national side play on home soil.
It is also obvious, even to those viewing the game on TV, that the partisan crowd really gets riled up and makes it quite an inhospitable environment for touring teams from the first bar of the national anthem, which if often tear-soaked and bursting with pride.
Even on arrival, the likes of Warren Whiteley and Mzwandile Stick were quick to make it known that the Mendoza Test will be an “entirely different kettle of fish”.
They are indeed right, and probably more so than ever, as Argentina have always been feared at home, but they have shown some real teeth in recent times. This year, in Super Rugby, the Jaguares, which are being seen as a precursor to what the Pumas can offer, had their best season ever in making the playoffs, and impressing on the road.
But what is more concerning is that they beat every one of the Super Rugby teams from South Africa at home, starting with a run against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and then finally the Lions – not to mention also beating the Waratahs, the best Australian side this season. In fact, they only lost three home games.
For the Pumas side, the results may not be as impressive on paper, for they have only beaten the Boks once in Argentina – and once away – as well as having a win against Australia on home turf in the Rugby Championship.
However, a quick glance over the results from the Rugby Championship and one can get a good understanding of the toughness of playing in Argentina, even the mighty All Blacks have never really run away with results against Los Pumas at home.
Proudfoot, again in Durban at the start of the competition, gave some good insight into why it is such a tough place to play when he explained the way in which the country comes alive when the Pumas are playing. He explained that even if people are not supporters of the Jaguares, they suddenly come alive when the sky blue and white jerseys are rolled out.
The Latin pride in the crowd is only matched by that of it on the field, and it has been a contentious point for the Boks in recent times; South Africa may win most of the time, but they are often out-passioned.
It will be interesting to see if Rassie Erasmus’ Boks have restored enough pride in the jersey to essentially nullify the Argentinian 16th man, the crowd, and if they have enough in them to dampen the famous Latin pride come tomorrow night. IF THERE is one thing that Western Province coach John Dobson’s selection headache for their Currie Cup-opener against the Free State Cheetahs has shown, it’s the depth the union have at their disposal.
Dobson named Dillyn Leyds – who will start on the left wing and also captained the team against Montpellier in their second friendly – as captain. And although Dobson earlier this week explained that Leyds’ best position is fullback, the big kicking game the defending champions are expecting the Cheetahs to bring tomorrow in wet conditions at Newlands (5.15pm kickoff) heightened the need to have a few capable boots in their backline.
And it’s the backline in particular that was a bit of a positive conundrum for Dobson.
SP Marais will start at fullback, with JJ Engelbrecht on the right wing and Sergeal Petersen set to make his Province debut should he come off the bench.
In the midfield, Blitzbok Ruhan Nel partners up with Dan Kriel, with the promising Dan du Plessis on the bench.
Josh Stander will form the halfback pairing with Jano Vermaak, with the exciting Herschel Jantjies providing scrumhalf cover.
The selection of Engelbrecht and Leyds on the wing has kept the likes of Craig Barry and Duncan Saal out of the matchday squad, while Dobson also admitted that this week required a “horses for courses” selection, especially given the fact that there is no time for slip-ups in the single-round competition – every game, especially your home games, is a must win.
“Dillyn starting on the wing should show just how problematic the back three has been, the balancing of the backs is a good problem to have,” Dobson said yesterday.
Dobson also doesn’t think that Leyds captaining from out wide is an issue.
Earlier this week, Dobson explained that he is also considering JD Schickerling and Scarra Ntubeni for the temporary leadership in Chris van Zyl’s absence due to injury, and yesterday he added that Schickerling and Ntubeni can conduct up front if needed.
On his midfield selections, Dobson said: “Ruhan did not go on tour as he got married during that period. I don’t know when last we had one but he certainly has the potential to become a double Springbok.”
Up front, Sikhumbuzo Notshe has returned from the Springbok camp to take up his spot place in the loose trio alongside Kobus van Dyk and last year’s World Rugby Under20 Championship Player of the Tournament, Juarno Augustus. In the second row Salmaan Moerat will partner Schickerling, with Ernst van Rhyn on the bench.
Props Ali Vermaak and promising tighthead Michael Kumbirai will start on either side of hooker Ntubeni, with Caylib Oosthuizen, Neethling Fouche and Chad Solomon on the bench.