Argentina vs. South Africa Rugby Betting: Pumas will be tough to penetrate

The second instalment of the week from the hugely popular Rugby Championship will be played today when Argentina welcome South Africa for an important match for both teams.

Both teams have performed well on occasion in recent fixtures, but which will come out on top and nab a timely victory to go into next week’s final round with a real chance to be crowned champions?

Both Argentina and South Africa enter this match with the same number of points; the nations are currently on nine thanks to two wins and a pair of defeats.

New Zealand enjoyed a slight advantage heading into the week and boosted their position with a thrilling win over Australia. A bonus-point win for South Africa will see them enter the final round in an excellent position, but they can expect to have to work for it.

Argentina vs. South Africa Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Argentina enjoys the home-field advantage for this match and has won two of their previous four games.
• South Africa has nine points on the board and started the week second in The Rugby Championship group with two wins from four.
• The winner of this game will emerge as the main challenge to current leaders New Zealand, while the loser will drop down the pecking order.
• Venue & Location: Libertadores de América Stadium (Avellaneda, Argentina)
• Kick-Off Time: 3:10 p.m. Eastern Time (4:10 p.m. local time)

Argentina vs. South Africa Betting Odds

Odds are from BetOnline.

Moneyline

• Argentina to win +290
• Draw +2000
• South Africa to win -320

Spread

• Argentina +8.5 (-110)
• South Africa -8.5 (-110)

Total Points Over/Under

• Over 51.5 (-112)
• Under 51.5 (-104)

Argentina forced into a last-minute change

This match was originally planned to be played in midweek, but organisers were rushed into a last-minute change of plan and location.

The fixture was to take place at a different soccer stadium in the nation’s capital of Buenos Aires, but a soccer match and a concert helped ruin the surface with Argentinian rugby officials deeming the park unplayable. Both Argentina and South Africa agreed on the new venue and date.

Will that affect this game any? It shouldn’t make too much difference to the outcome as both teams still head into the fixture knowing the value of a win to keep their hopes of success alive and kicking.

If anything, the short delay would have helped some players recover from what has already been a punishing schedule. That could make for a better, quicker and more enjoyable game.

The Pumas would have been left slightly embarrassed by the whole incident, and it’s not something the rugby-playing nation would want to have against their name, especially on such a big stage and in an important match.

The Springboks wouldn’t have been too impressed, but both sides have kept their teams similar to what we’ve seen from them lately and identical to the starting 15 for the midweek match.

Pumas look to rebound from All Blacks rout

The Pumas started with a 41-26 defeat in their opening game of the Rugby Championship against Australia, despite being the home team for that match and having opportunities to challenge the Aussies.

Next up, Argentina got off the mark on matchday two when grabbing a timely 48-17 revenge win over Australia, a result very few inside the sport saw coming.

But it was nothing short of what the Pumas deserved as they came to win and went on the front foot early. It was a stunning show of strength and got fans pleading for more.

The second win came straight after the first, with Argentina beating New Zealand 25-18 away from home to catapult themselves into contention.

If followers and critics were impressed by the first win, they were certainly blown away by the follow-up. But the team couldn’t make it three on the bounce, suffering a 53-3 defeat to the All Blacks two weeks ago.

South Africa remains hot on the heels of New Zealand

South Africa’s preparation for this match has been less than perfect, but they can’t afford to let off-field issues like the change of venue push them off their stride.

The added hassle of booking and re-arranging flights may have caused the squad a degree of upset, but they are professionals and will do their talking on the pitch.

South Africa started the week sitting in second place behind current leaders New Zealand, but the All Blacks haven’t been their faultless selves. That has left the door open for someone else to grab the trophy, and a win here would keep South Africa in contention to do just that.

Although nothing will be decided here, other than the destination of the points, the visitors know an unexpected defeat would seriously hamper their chances. This will require a big effort, and it’s a win at all costs scenario with the result more important than the performance.

South Africa seeks consistency

It has been a case of South Africa not taking their chances to build momentum and consistency during this Rugby Championship campaign, and that could come back to haunt them later in the month.

They are capable of beating any of the other three sides in the pool but enter this match with an even split of two wins against two defeats.

South Africa started with a win before losing two games on the bounce, but they were on form last time when crushing Australia 24-8 on the road.

The Pumas have shown that they are capable of playing with and beating New Zealand and Australia, and they can do the same against South Africa.

But if the Springboks can get anywhere near the level of performance shown in their win in Sydney, they will add another victory to enter next week’s final round with it all to play for.

Argentina vs. South Africa Prediction: South Africa to win

Argentina vs. South Africa Betting Tip: South Africa -8.5 @ -110 (BetOnline)