All Blacks loom large, but Argentina could be the real threat for Springboks

While the Springboks embark on the Goliath task of battling the All Blacks in back-to-back Tests on New Zealand soil, it's understandable that most of the discourse will focus on the massive challenge ahead.

Still seething from last year’s Rugby Championship and the 2023 Rugby World Cup final outcomes against South Africa, the All Blacks have a point to prove, and on home soil, they’ll be tough to break down.

But while the Boks and their supporters sharpen their focus on the twin battles in Auckland and Wellington, it would be dangerously short-sighted to overlook what follows those games: a resurgent, unpredictable, and often underestimated Argentina.

Los Pumas are no longer the underdogs of old. Definitely not after last weekend’s upset over the All Blacks in front of a fired-up home crowd. Long seen as the team drinking from the back teats in the Rugby Championship, they’ve matured into a side that blends aggression with tactical intelligence, making them capable of beating any team on any given day.

It was their first win on home soil against the All Blacks. They also claimed a historic victory over the British and Irish Lions earlier this year, proving that their sights are firmly set on a first Southern Hemisphere title.

This year's Rugby Championship schedule has the Springboks facing Los Pumas in Durban two weeks after wrapping up their New Zealand tour. Physically and mentally, that’s a trap game waiting to happen. Remember 2022, when the Boks needed a certain margin of victory in Durban to win the title, only to fall short against Argentina?

Last year, a stumble in Santiago del Estero delayed South Africa’s title celebrations. They eventually secured the win and crown in Mbombela.

Mindset will be critical for the Boks when they return home. If they treat the Argentinians as an afterthought, they could be punished. Los Pumas have made a habit of exposing complacency, especially when they’re not expected to win. The All Blacks looked like they fell into that trap last weekend.

With their abrasive pack, the Pumas are always ready to engage in the physical contest at scrum and maul time. Their backline features dynamic runners who are also strong under the high ball. Under Felipe Contepomi, they’ve added a layer of tactical depth to their blueprint that keeps them a genuine threat for 80-plus minutes.

Strategic planning over the next month should be a non-negotiable priority. It’s easy to say, “one game at a time,” but looking ahead might be necessary.

The All Blacks will demand everything over the next two weekends, but if the Springboks aren’t careful, Argentina could become the real stumbling block at the end of the tournament.

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