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We should start Jantjies but if he makes an early mistake pull him off as he is likely to be a liability for the rest of the game.
Think of it this way: If Steyn had/has to start, we will be assured of him fielding at least 4 out of 5 attempts at penalty goals within a 55m range. That's 12 points in the bag. If we had that kind of assurance last week we never would've been under pressure and in return to a certain extent have kept Argentina in the game. But we have to back Elton at pivot, because at the end of the day he passed the test and he is the best in the country at current.
In most of the close tests (such as last week), the halfbacks and more so the flyhalf can and should control the game (Naas) because at any given time during the match he can decide on his teams territory. Thank heavens for a player like Faf De Klerk who always takes the pressure off Jantjies, but this shouldn't be the case. I think Gavin Rich's latest article puts the nail on the head as he attributes Jantjies spell of mixed bags to his confidence. He falls off the wagon way too easy, whether it be a missed attempt at goal, missed tackle, or even a bad up-and-under hoist, he clearly succumbs to the pressure too easy.
I'm sure he felt a bit of the pendulum swinging his way when he heard Pollard being out for the whole year and furthermore when Pat didn't play much, so he knew he was a shoe in to wear the Bok 10 by just putting together a couple of consistent performances for the Lions which he did, but carrying that standard over to test level still prompts a question and you bet Morne Steyn is waiting to save the day with one of those long haulers.
It's one thing to say the game gets won up front, but if your flyhalf doesn't pitch then it won't work so much. This game is an even bigger test for Elton as his performance out of South Africa tends to drop and I really hope he can pull it together as we really have no other options at 10.
What's happened to Ayerza. I remember last year he single handedly destroyed SA at scrum time in Durban, now without him, SA are decimating the Argie scrum. He's the world's best scrummager imo, for years he's given Leicester utter dominance.
I really think Argentina can win this. South Africa have always been rubbish travellers. Their record in Australia and NZ is comical. Even in Europe, they lost in Cardiff to the welsh, always seem to lose in Dublin, the one ground they've done well in recently is Twickenham, but that's mostly about English incompetence rather than Bok brilliance. In the 2nd half of away games especially, they literally seem to go backwards. I remember last summer in Australia, and on countless occasions in NZ, them just capitulating in second halves. If argentina can play with tempo, they should run in some tries as the Saffers tire and win this fairly comfortably
I really think Argentina can win this. South Africa have always been rubbish travellers.
Don't you know the UAR rule for the national team? Only players in Super Rugby teams can play for the Pumas. So we lose Ayerza, Imhoff, Lobbe, etc...
The first 4 games of AC's reign the Springboks have been absolutely rubbish. Bar a couple of inspiring late surges the general quality of play has been abysmal. It's weird how you can select so many Lions players playing sparkling club rugby, add in the best of the other franchises like Etzebeth and De Jager, and come out with such an average team.
I think AC needs to make a decision on philosophy. Does he want to play up-tempo like the Lions, or a more forward orientated traditional bok game. He's stuck between two at the moment and the team looks confused
Salta = Altitude. Dry Pitch for running rugby. Yes a lot of the Bok players are used to 1200+ metres altitude, but the home team tend to benefit the most from extreme weather conditions and Argentina have played quite a few tests here. I remember in 2014 Argentina really should've beaten SA in Salta, and that SA side was probably better than this one.
Here's my tip. Bet on South Africa to be winning at half time, but Argentina to win at full time. The odds are really good, and I think it's quite likely. SA have a dominant scrum and pack now Ayerza's gone, and Goosen can kick penalties from 60 metres. But SA teams never travel well, and they'll tire in the second half, and Argentina's up-tempo running game can win them the game. SA did finish games well vs Ire + Arg, but that was at home. They tend to go backwards in 2nd halves away from home.
It's just a hunch I have, but the odds are so good on it at 10/1 that I feel to go for it.
The first 4 games of AC's reign the Springboks have been absolutely rubbish. Bar a couple of inspiring late surges the general quality of play has been abysmal. It's weird how you can select so many Lions players playing sparkling club rugby, add in the best of the other franchises like Etzebeth and De Jager, and come out with such an average team.
I think AC needs to make a decision on philosophy. Does he want to play up-tempo like the Lions, or a more forward orientated traditional bok game. He's stuck between two at the moment and the team looks confused