| No. | Argentina | Rating | South Africa | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Marcos Ayerza – Very experienced and established loosehead. Gave Jannie du Plessis a tough ride last week and should do the same again. | 8 | Gurthro Steenkamp – In the starting line-up due to his superior scrummaging. Likes a carry and is as tough as nails. | 7 |
| 2. | Agustin Creevy (c) – Didn’t have the best game in the world last week, especially with his set pieces. Things could be different on home soil though. | 6.5 | Bismarck du Plessis – The best hooker in the world. Solid at the set piece, a strong ball carrier and deadly at the breakdown. | 9.5 |
| 3. | Ramiro Herrera – Put the more experienced Beast under the screw at times during the scrums last week. A big boy who uses his size well. | 8 | Jannie du Plessis – Struggled a bit at the set pieces last week but he is still an all-round superb player. | 8 |
| 4. | Mariano Galarza – Dynamic lock who has been hit and miss lately. Needs a strong showing or could be dropped. | 6.5 | Eben Etzebeth – Stunningly good player but always gets involves in niggles when playing Argentina. Needs to keep his head. | 8.5 |
| 5. | Tomas Lavanini – Inexperienced but another big lad with a reputation for wonderful things. Didn’t look out of place last week. | 7 | Lood de Jager – Great work rate and 1708900398ethic in the loose but one of the main reasons why the Bok lineout struggled in the previous match. | 7 |
| 6. | Pablo Matera – Yet another talented Pumas youngster. Just 21 but plays like an experienced pro | 7.5 | Francois Louw – A tackling machine with the stamina to keep running all day. One of the best at what he does. | 8.5 |
| 7. | Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe – The best player on the park last week. He worked non-stop and leads from the front. | 9 | Juan Smith – A remarkable comeback for the flanker but he deserves it after playing so well for Toulon. Should make a big impact. | 8 |
| 8. | Juan Manuel Leguizamon – Needs a good game to halt this South African pack. Another Argentine who never stops. | 7.5 | Duane Vermuelen – Had a great game last week. The tackle-busting big carries are needed in this tricky test. | 8.5 |
| 9. | Martin Landajo – Doesn’t necessarily have the ability to make a big impact on the game. Back-row will need to protect him. | 6 | Ruan Pienaar – Scored a typical Pienaar try last week and bossed his pack the entire game. Has a great boot. | 8 |
| 10. | Nicolas Sanchez – Argentina’s best attacking player in the last test. He can kick the points and hold his own in defence. | 7 | Handre Pollard – Had a shocker last week but he’s an old head on young shoulders and he should learn from his mistakes. | 7 |
| 11. | Manuel Montero – A great finisher but he needs the ball in his hands a lot more. If he goes looking, tries could come. | 7.5 | Bryan Habana – A hamstring injury means appearances have been limited this season but underestimate the cheetah racer at your peril. | 8 |
| 12. | Juan Martin Hernandez – Placed in the centres again so hopefully should get decent ball in hand. Electric on his day. | 7 | Jean de Villiers – Captain Fantastic. Makes big tackles, hits hard lines and supports like he is still a teenager. | 8 |
| 13. | Marcelo Bosch – Tends to play better for his country than for Saracens. Classy in attack and with a monster boot. | 8 | Damian de Allende – Had a solid debut last week and if the weather improves, expect to see a lot more of his attacking prowess. | 7 |
| 14. | Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino – Another play who can be very hit and miss. Quick with a great step but doesn’t score too often. | 6 | Cornal Hendricks – Has made the transition from sevens to full international with ease. Superb finisher. | 7.5 |
| 15. | Joaquin Tuculet – Good with ball in hand but has not played a lot recently. Wasn’t too shabby last week though. | 6.5 | Wille le Roux – One of the best attackers in the world. Can read the game like nobody else and threatens from everywhere. | 9 |
| TOTAL | 108 | 119.5 |
PREDICTION
Neither side was at its best last week, but then conditions were atrocious. If the weather’s better this weekend, we should (hopefully) be in for a better game, but it’s difficult to see anything other than the same result. South Africa by 15.
By Calum Gillon (@C_Gillon)
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Perhaps Calum’s predict will be more accurate than Jaimie’s? We’ll see, but I was somewhat surprised that the Argintines had SA on the rack @ the end last time & that the Saffas could only score 1. I thought that they’d be better, esp if they intend challanging NZ(?) for the title. Of course early days yet, but the S Times talk of NZ getting old & grey & in the way may be a mite prem.
Here’s to watching the match @ the C&Horses, Kew Grn, 8.30pm tonight then.