Durban - Argentina are no longer simply about muscle up front, and Heyneke Meyer is expecting them to be a far more expansive outfit when they take on the Springboks at Kings Park on Saturday.
Known for their expertise and physicality in the pack, Meyer believes the Pumas are now more capable with ball in hand due largely to the influence of former All Blacks coach Graeme Henry.
Henry served as an advisor to the Pumas in 2012 and 2013.
“Argentina is a quality side. I think people don’t realise what a tough side they are to play against. All their players are playing in France... they all have contracts and get coached by the best coaches,” Meyer said.
“They’ve really improved. They’ve always had a physical pack but now with the New Zealand influence there they also move the ball around.
“In the scrum they’re one of the best. It will be a big struggle in the scrums and they’ve got one of the best mauling sides in the world.
“They’re also opening up the game now. It’s a tough Test match, we’ve got respect for them and that’s why I went with a strong side going into this game.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 17:05.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
Argentina:
TBA