The Springboks need a performance against Argentina in Durban that matches the power and precision of their record-breaking triumph against the All Blacks, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says respect has dominated the build-up to Saturday’s Rugby Championship match at Kings Park.

History is not the reason for the mutual admiration between Dr Rassie Erasmus and Dr Felipe Contepomi, but rather the quality of their teams and the rugby they have played over the past year.

“This one will be a battle of the coaching minds, as much as it will be about who wins the collisions, takes charge in the set piece and dominates the aerial battle,” he argues.

Argentina have been formidable. In 2024 they beat the All Blacks in New Zealand, thrashed the Wallabies 67-27, and edged the Boks by a point at home. This season they have downed the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, beaten the All Blacks for the first time in Argentina, and defeated the Wallabies in Sydney.

“They are playing some wonderful rugby, with their backs operating as if under the hypnotic guidance of Dr Contepomi’s sharp surgical blade,” Keohane writes.

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Erasmus has stuck with the bulk of the side that destroyed the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington, with only two changes enforced by injury: Eben Etzebeth comes in for Lood de Jager and Damian Willemse starts at fullback in place of Aphelele Fassi. The bench again underlines the Boks’ depth.

Yet inconsistency remains a theme of South Africa’s season, from the shock concession of 38 unanswered points against Australia at Ellis Park to the historic highs in New Zealand.

Keohane believes the Boks must deliver a repeat of their Wellington intensity to subdue Los Pumas, noting that Erasmus’ faith in youth sends a clear message to the old guard.

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He warns, though, that referee Angus Gardner could be a factor. The Boks have lost five of the 11 Tests he has handled, and Erasmus has previously highlighted errors in Gardner’s officiating.

“Hopefully time has healed emotions from Gardner, but I doubt it. I sincerely hope he can officiate what he sees and not what he wants to see,” Keohane concludes.

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