Sport

Boks vs Pumas for Mandela's 90th

Brad Morgan

17 July 2008

In 2007, world football's governing body, Fifa, celebrated Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday with a match between an African XI and a World XI in Cape Town. This year, Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations will include a test match between the Springboks and the team they beat in the semi-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Argentina.

The one-off contest takes place in Johannesburg on 9 August. Managing director of SA Rugby, Jonathan Stones, said at the announcement of the match in May: "Argentina have confirmed that they will have their strongest possible team available for the match, and on that basis we are delighted to announce the fixture.

"They have secured the release of their top European-based players for the Test, and I'm sure will be going all out to beat South Africa for the first time."

Only RWC loss to South Africa

Argentina enjoyed their best ever showing at the 2007 World Cup, finishing in third place and losing only to South Africa in the semi-finals. The Pumas' results included two wins over France, as well as victories over Ireland, Scotland, Georgia, and Namibia.

Following their excellent performances in France, the Pumas were ranked third in the IRB world rankings, trailing only South Africa and New Zealand.

The Argentinians will have plenty of motivation to beat South Africa in August. One of the reasons is their record against the Springboks, which does not include a win. Since 1993, the teams have met 12 times and South Africa has won every time.

However, in 1982, a South American team known as the Jaguars, made up almost entirely of players from Argentina, beat the Springboks 21-12 in Bloemfontein. The Pumas' goal will be to emulate that victory, which was inspired by the legendary Hugo Porta, and a win would mean the added lustre of beating the world champions.

Opportunity to make amends

When the two teams last met in the World Cup, South Africa raced away to a 37-13 victory. The Argentinians were expected to push the Boks a lot harder than that – they, no doubt, expected more of themselves – and August's clash will be an opportunity to make amends.

Adding more importance to the match is the fact that the seedings for the 2011 Rugby World Cup will be based upon teams' rankings on 1 December 2008. Both South Africa and Argentina will want to hold on to their top four places and, in the case of Argentina, improve it if possible; a win over the World Cup winners would certainly help.

"The new seeding arrangements for the Rugby World Cup mean that every test result this season will be vital and Argentina will be determined to hold onto their top-four ranking," said SA Rugby's Stones.

According to the Tri-Nations governing body, Sanzar, the test against Argentina is a first commitment by South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia to ultimately incorporate Argentina into Sanzar competitions.

Battle-hardened

One thing is certain: when the Pumas take on the Springboks, Peter de Villiers' side will be battle-hardened in the extreme.

Since 9 June they have played - and beaten - Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales, ranked sixth in the world, three times, and Italy, ranked 11th, once.

The test also falls right in the middle of the Tri-Nations competition, after South Africa's three away matches, two of which they have already played, losing once to New Zealand before recording a historic away win against the All Blacks at Dunedin.