Although South Africa are setting the pace at the top of the Rugby Championship table, they are not underestimating Argentina and are preparing for tough challenge this weekend.

That was the word from Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of his team’s highly anticipated encounter against Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.

The Boks head into their clash with Argentina sitting pretty atop the Rugby Championship table with 18 points amassed after notching four victories in as many games, while Los Pumas are in second place on 10 points, followed by New Zealand (seven) and Australia (four).

Boks aiming set a new Rugby Championship record

Another victory will be a momentous one for South Africa as it would be their sixth in succession in the Rugby Championship, which would be the Boks’ longest winning run in the competition (or its Tri-Nations forerunner), exceeding five consecutive victories recorded in 2009.

Erasmus is preparing for an epic battle against Los Pumas and highlighted of effective execution, staying calm under pressure and playing for the full 80 minutes to keep alive their hopes of a securing victory.

A win for the world champions would see them go into the final match of the tournament against Argentina in Nelspruit on September 28 with an unbeaten record and with the title already secured.

“Argentina are a force to be reckoned with at home and they’ll be even more charged up for this match knowing that a bonus-point victory or victory could keep them in the race for their first ever title, so we know they will not give us an inch,” said Erasmus.

“They are a quality team with strong forwards and talented backs, and they like to keep the ball alive, so we need to be accurate in every aspect of our game and deny them from stamping their authority, but rather enforcing our style of play on them.

“Our players understand the importance of this match in every respect, and one could see from our training sessions in Stellenbosch last week and since yesterday that they are switched on and ready to give their all, as this match is equally important for both teams.

“We have no doubt it’s going to be epic and could come down to the wire, but we live for these moments as a team and hopefully we can deliver on what we set out to do and get the desired result.”

Erasmus has made 10 changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s clash but is confident the players in his matchday squad will give a good account of themselves.

‘This weekend will be equally demanding both physically and mentally’

“This group features players who have played either against New Zealand, Australia or both, so they have come up against tough opposition in the last few weeks, and this weekend will be equally demanding both physically and mentally, and it excites us as a group,” he said.

“Many of these combinations have played together this season and they all know how tough Argentina can make things for you on the day if you do not pitch up sharp and battle ready.

“It’s also good to have this mix of youth and experience, while at the same time having a squad that boasts the physicality and X-factor that we need against the Pumas, and we are excited to see what the likes of Jan-Hendrik (Wessels), Manie (Libbok), Aphelele (Fassi) and Ben-Jason (Dixon), among others will bring to this match.”