Montoya and Pumas plot another stunner as history-maker Etzebeth and Boks chase glory

Argentina moved to within five points of leaders South Africa when they beat them 29-28 in Santiago del Estero last Saturday. On Saturday they meet again

CAPS OFF: South Africa's Eben Etzebeth celebrates following the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire

Argentina have a slim chance of Rugby Championship success when they face up to hosts South Africa in the final game of this year’s competition on Saturday but captain Julian Montoya is not writing off their hopes.

Argentina moved to within five points of leaders South Africa when they beat them 29-28 in Santiago del Estero last Saturday and this weekend’s return clash at the Mbombela Stadium offers the Pumas a first chance to win the annual southern hemisphere championship.

But they would need to score three tries more than the world champions and beat the Springboks by more than seven points to prevent South Africa from taking the championship in front of their home supporters.

"We know how important this match is, what is at stake, but we want to continue the process of trying to be better," said Montoya in the build-up to Saturday’s test.

"We want to impose our game, look for the win and we know that there is a chance to win the tournament. But we have to be focused first on improving our game and only that can lead us to the result."

Montoya said reaching last year’s World Cup semi-finals had been a major boost for Argentina confidence, and they have displayed that this year by winning three games in a Rugby Championship season for the first time.

"I’ve been lucky to play finals or semi-finals with my club, but it cannot be compared to any match with Los Pumas. This squad reached the semi-finals at the World Cup and we have learned from that.

"We are not going to hide from this opportunity. We are aware of what lies ahead, which is thanks to what we are doing. We have to improve things from the previous match, because there is a lot of room for improvement."

Veteran Eben Etzebeth will become South Africa's most-capped player after being handed a starting berth as he plays his 128th game. The 32-year-old second row will surpass 2007 World Cup icon Victor Matfield, who wrapped up his career in 2015.

"If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual," Rassie Erasmus said as his side chase a first southern hemisphere title since 2019.

The Springboks supremo opted to rest some key cogs for last weekend's defeat but makes nine changes in total for the rematch. Six double World Cup winners from 2019 and 2023 return to the starting XV, including skipper Siya Kolisi and former Munster star Damian de Allende.

Reuters/AP