Aerial battle takes centre stage as Springboks brace for big high bombs against Argentina

A massive part of the Springboks’ success against the All Blacks in their historic Rugby Championship win in Wellington was their contestable kicks.

The New Zealanders were all at sea when scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok peppered their back three with high bombs. The accuracy of those efforts helped the likes of wings Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker regain possession, from which the Boks launched further attacks.

It essentially set the platform for their 43-10 victory, as it gave the Boks the momentum they needed to get their big forwards into the game, which in turn provided the backs with quick ball to punish the All Blacks out wide.

Not being able to field contestable kicks is an absolute nightmare for a Test team, because it’s the worst ball to concede. For one, you find yourself constantly on the back foot, with your defensive structure at its most vulnerable. The domino effect it creates is, most times, unsalvageable.

Over the next two weeks, the aerial battle will again be high on the agenda when the Springboks take on Argentina in crucial Rugby Championship matches that could have a huge bearing on the final standings of the competition.

It all starts on Saturday at Durban’s Kings Park (5.10pm kick-off), with the Boks looking to put one hand on the title ahead of next week’s final round of matches. The second Test between Los Pumas and the Boks will be played in London next Saturday.

Argentina are far stronger under the high ball than the All Blacks, while they also boast a top attacking kicking game, which matches South Africa’s ability to apply pressure in the air.

Argentina showed in their earlier victories against the Wallabies and the All Blacks their ability to reclaim the high ball and then punish teams with their speedy, accurate back play. They are deadly from unstructured and broken play, and the Boks know their kicking game will have to be spot on over the next two weeks.

“It’s going to be a massive battle. They are very good in the air, but we also pride ourselves when it comes to the aerial game,” Libbok told the media ahead of the game.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge between the two teams, and I think the team that is more desperate to win that battle is going to come out on top.”

Libbok is part of a potent Bok attacking flyhalf duo. He will start on the bench against Argentina, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will wear the No 10 jersey.

Both players showed what they can do with front-foot ball in Wellington, especially Libbok, who had one of his finest matches in a Bok jersey against the All Blacks.

But they are coming up against quality opponents who are just as dangerous with ball in hand.

Argentina have Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Carreras in their ranks, with the former coming back from injury after tormenting the Boks in 2024 when the two teams met in Argentina.

Libbok says they know the danger of the Argentine back division, particularly their stars who have come through their impressive Sevens programme.

“I’m not surprised by how they are playing. They are all coming from a Sevens background. They are quick, energetic, agile and have a good skillset,” Libbok added.

“Albornoz is a very good player with an amazing skillset and a great feel for the game. They are very good rugby players, and it’s tough to shut them down when they get going.”

Springbok Team

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.