THE last time a Springbok team played at the foot of the Andes, they were required to scale peaks widely believed beyond the compass.
The Springbok midweek team spent most of the first half on the receiving end against Argentina A in 2000 in Tucuman, but a miraculous rearguard action sparked by, among others, the second-half introduction of prop Lawrence Sephaka saw them record an improbable victory.
The dice aren't quite as loaded against the Class of 2012, but they will nonetheless have to prove their upward mobility when they take on the Pumas in their return Four Nations clash at the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium here tomorrow.
Although the Springboks won the first outing by a comfortable yet unconvincing margin at Newlands last week, the Pumas are expected to raise their game a few notches in front of 50000 passionate fans.
Former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen, himself in the throes of scaling a peak life's vicissitudes have placed squarely in his path, is in no doubt the Boks are in for a tougher examination. Even though motor neuron disease has drastically reduced his speech, his message was loud and clear.
"It will be different. Argentina will be better," said Van der Westhuizen, who is a guest of ambassador to Argentina Tony Leon. "I think they will be much more disciplined and that will present a greater challenge for the Springboks."
Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt but sometimes it spawns respect. Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has braced himself for a challenge greater than the one his side faced six days ago.
Boks in for a fight in Argentina
THE last time a Springbok team played at the foot of the Andes, they were required to scale peaks widely believed beyond the compass.
The Springbok midweek team spent most of the first half on the receiving end against Argentina A in 2000 in Tucuman, but a miraculous rearguard action sparked by, among others, the second-half introduction of prop Lawrence Sephaka saw them record an improbable victory.
The dice aren't quite as loaded against the Class of 2012, but they will nonetheless have to prove their upward mobility when they take on the Pumas in their return Four Nations clash at the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium here tomorrow.
Although the Springboks won the first outing by a comfortable yet unconvincing margin at Newlands last week, the Pumas are expected to raise their game a few notches in front of 50000 passionate fans.
Former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen, himself in the throes of scaling a peak life's vicissitudes have placed squarely in his path, is in no doubt the Boks are in for a tougher examination. Even though motor neuron disease has drastically reduced his speech, his message was loud and clear.
"It will be different. Argentina will be better," said Van der Westhuizen, who is a guest of ambassador to Argentina Tony Leon. "I think they will be much more disciplined and that will present a greater challenge for the Springboks."
Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt but sometimes it spawns respect. Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has braced himself for a challenge greater than the one his side faced six days ago.