Springboks flyers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse are preparing for a tough challenge when they take on Argentina in Saturday’s highly anticipated Rugby Championship clash in Nelspruit.

Kolbe and Arendse said they are expecting a fast-paced and expansive style of rugby from Los Pumas, who will be hoping to cause an upset in what will be a Rugby Championship title decider.

Despite suffering a 29-28 defeat against Argentina in the corresponding fixture last weekend, the Boks still have a five-point lead at the top of the Rugby Championship standings.

South Africa have amassed 19 points – after winning four out of five matches – while Argentina are next best (14) with New Zealand (11) and Australia (5) are the also-rans in this year’s competition.

Kolbe and Arendse are wary of their South American rivals who will be hopeful of repeating their heroics from seven days ago in Santiago del Estero.

‘It’s going to be a massive challenge on Saturday’

“They’ve certainly developed as a team over the years, and this year they’ve shown the style of rugby they want to play, so it’s going to be a massive challenge on Saturday,” said Kolbe.

“There’s a lot of confidence and excitement in their team, especially after beating Australia, New Zealand and us this season. But that said we need to focus on ourselves and be ready for them because they can create something out of nothing.

“It’s a final this weekend, and it is going to be a huge game.”

Kolbe was amongst seven Springboks players who did not make the trip to Argentina but Arendse did and also spoke highly of his opponents.

They played really well last week, and we know they like to run with the ball, so we are expecting the same from them this weekend, and are up for it,” he said.

we did wrong last week and hopefully finish the competition on a winning note.”

The 30-year-old said while the coaches still had to decide on their goal-kicking plans, he is willing to take on the extra responsibility if the need arose during Saturday’s Test.

This, after fly-half Manie Libbok missed the match-winning penalty in the game’s dying moments in Santiago del Estero last weekend.

I’ve been working on it throughout the season’

“I’m comfortable kicking for goals,” added Kolbe. “I’ve been working on it throughout the season, and the kickers and Tony (Brown, Bok assistant coach) have been giving me tips.

“One never knows what will happen on the day, so if they need me to kick, I’ll be ready to do so. I’m not sure who will take over the kicking yet, but we back that person 100%.”

Kolbe dismissed suggestions that South Africa might have an edge after competing in the last two Rugby World Cup finals, as well as the series decider against the British & Irish Lions in 2021.

“They’ll be super hungry and excited about this opportunity, just like us,” he said.

“We may have played a in few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team, so we must be at our best for the full 80 minutes.”

When asked what perspective watching the first match from South Africa gave him after being part of the group of players that were rested for the clash, he replied: “It definitely gave me different pictures because you see things from other angles, so I know what I have to do to contribute to the team.

“Argentina is a phenomenal side, and they have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week also gave me advice, so I know what to expect this week.”