Bryan Habana (AP)
London - Fifteen stats and facts ahead of the Rugby World Cup Bronze medal clash
between the Springboks and Argentina at The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
· Only once before did
South Africa and Argentina meet in a RWC tournament. In 2007 they played in one
semi-final at Stade de France while France and England contested the other
semi-final. South Africa won that match by 37-13.
· Friday’s Test match will be the 22nd
between the two countries. South Africa’s record against Argentina: P: 21; W:
19; L: 1; D: 1; PF: 779; PA: 410; Win%: 90%.
· The total Test caps for the
Springbok starting line-up is 835. There are 342 caps in the backline with 493
caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 274 caps.
· Bryan Habana will extend his record
as the most-capped Springbok wing, with 115 caps in this position. He is the
most experienced Springbok backline player with 116 caps and only Victor
Matfield has played in more Test matches.
· If he scores a try, Bryan Habana will
extend his own record of 64 Test tries for South Africa. Currently he is joint
second on the list for most Test tries. David Campese of Australia is the other
player. First on the list is Daisuke Ohata of Japan on 69 career tries.
· Bryan Habana is the world record holder for
most Test tries as a wing. He surpassed the previous record of Daisuke Ohata of
Japan (62) during the pool match against the USA.
· Bryan Habana is the joint record holder for
most career tries (15) in RWC tournaments, with Jonah Lomu of New Zealand. Drew
Mitchell of Australia is next on the list with 14 RWC career tries. Friday’s
Test will be his 18th RWC match, the most RWC matches by a Springbok
backline player.
· Bryan Habana holds the record for most Test
matches (11) against Argentina as well as most career tries (7) by a Springbok
against Argentina.
· Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen will be
playing in their record 44th Test as a wing combination in the
starting XV.
· Handré Pollard kicked five
successful penalty goals in the match against New Zealand to become the new
Springbok record holder with 19 RWC penalty goals. This surpassed the record of
17 career penalty goals previously held by Percy Montgomery. This Test will be
his 20th in the Green and Gold.
· Schalk Burger will play in his 79th
Test as a flank, South Africa’s most capped Springbok flank. Friday’s Test will
be his 20th RWC Test – the most by a Springbok in RWC tournaments.
He is also the Springbok record holder for most tries as a flank (14) as well
as a forward (16).
· Victor Matfield will captain the
team for the 23rd time, making him the fifth most capped captain for
South Africa. His 127th Test cap for South Africa makes him the
sixth most capped player in the world. Victor made his Test debut on 30 June,
2001 against Italy. Friday’s Test will be 14 years and 122 days later, the
longest career span in Springbok rugby.
· Bismarck du Plessis is the Springbok
record holder for most tries (11) in Tests as a hooker. He and brother Jannie
will play in their 50th Test together should Jannie be used from the
bench.
· The referee is John Lacey of Ireland
who is a former rugby player who played on the wing and at fullback for Munster
until 2007. His debut as an international referee was in March 2010. During
this tournament he was referee in three Test matches, including the New
Zealand/Tonga Test. It will be his third Test involving
South Africa. Of the previous two Tests, South Africa won one (against
Argentina in 2014) and lost one (against Wales in 2014).
· The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park is the venue for this Bronze final match. South Africa have played
one Test at this stadium, against the USA in this tournament winning 64-0.
