The Springboks are top of the table after back-to-back victories over Los Pumas in South Africa. I believe that playing the first two games against South Africa in the Rugby Championship was the worst thing possible for Argentina. I would have much preferred Los Pumas starting their campaign against Australia or New Zealand because against those opponents you have a bit more time on the ball and can make decisions more freely. However, against South Africa, who put pressure on you the whole game, it knocked Argentina’s confidence.
Los Pumas couldn’t produce any sort of rugby in either of the Tests and you have to give the Springboks plenty of credit because nowadays they are a very tough and horrible opponent to play against. They are horrible in terms of the pressure they put you under in every aspect of the game. South Africa are now playing a style of rugby which really suits them. They are extremely physical in the collisions, have an effective kicking game, a strong setpiece and are aggressive on defence. I would say that the Springboks are, without the ball, by far the best side in the world at the moment.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Fitzpatrick Raises Key Question For Regions
Any Lancashire member vexed at seeing so little of their champion bowler on the domestic front will have some sympathy with those who subscribe to another superstar of similar vintage.
The prince has his eyes on the prize as usual
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Time for Exeter to ditch the warpaint
To misquote Aristotle, ‘human nature abhors a vaccuum’, and with no rugby at present, the hottest topic around seems to be the headdresses that some Exeter Chiefs supporters like to sport.
Chick: Falcons aim to start fast and not fade
NEWCASTLE back rower Callum Chick says the Falcons will be flying when their Premiership campaign kicks off against champions Harlequins on September 19.
Winning a breakdown was my greatest joy
THE FORMER BRUMBIES, BATH, LEICESTER AND EXETER FLANKER TURNED DEFENCE COACH
Ladesma and Cheika are under pressure
Having lived in Europe for 14 years, I’m now back in Argentina and have been closely following the start of the 2021 Rugby Championship.
Defibrillators are essential, every club should have one
I want to use my column this week to discuss an issue which is both incredibly important and also very close to my heart and that is the importance of every Welsh rugby club having a defibrillator.
I'm delighted for Kolbe, he deserves all the riches
IT’s absolutely staggering to see the amounts of money involved in Cheslin Kolbe’s transfer from European champions Toulouse to Toulon. It’s mind-blowing, and also brilliant news for rugby that these sums of money are batted around in the sport. I couldn’t be happier for Cheslin or any other player to command that sort of contract.
Titterrell swots up on the new boys
Adam Ellis talks to England U20s coach Andy Titterrell after his first year in the job
Wolfpack sharpen claws for bear pit
JACKSON Wray claims the Wolfpack have sharpened their claws and are “hungrier than ever” to regain their seat as England’s top dogs.
Argentina's Inflation Crisis
Argentina is no stranger to economic turmoil, having defaulted on its national debt three times since 2001.
THE REGIONS: WHAT TO KNOW
The distance between Argentina's northernmost wine region of Salta, at a latitude of 22 degrees south, and its southernmost region, Patagonia, at 40 degrees south, extends for some 1,243 miles. Between these two poles lies the heartland of Argentine wine, Mendoza.
KATE'S FITNESS Secrets
Kate Middleton swears by a grueling daily workout routine to keep herself in top shape - physically and mentally
Ahead of the Game
Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi on how goal setting, unflinching ambition, and being humble will take you further.
Buenos Aires on Foot
Hit the highlights with online itineraries and the city’s free app.
Buenos Aires
Famed for its boulevards and ballrooms, the Argentine capital is reinventing itself through restaurant collaborations, a new arts district and a revamped dockland park
Uncommon Dinosaurs
Southern Continents Reveal Uncommon Giants
THE ALL BLACKS
UNLOCKING THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS
THE MOST Surreal RIFE OF OUR LIVES
National Route 40 is not only the longest road in Argentina, but also the world. Parallel to the Andes, it crosses 11 provinces, connecting some of the most prominent places of natural beauty and cultural interest in the country. We’d planned to take our time and enjoy the seemingly endless points of interest in the southern part of RN40, but just before reaching the province of Mendoza, we realized that our visas would soon need renewing. The least complicated way to extend them was a “border run,” which meant a ride out of and back into the country from the nearest border crossing to obtain the passport stamps.
CAN WE TRAVELERS ADAPT IN THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC?
Being housebound in a small apartment in a random town during a pandemic with expired visas and a half-dead scooter in a country that until recently Wikipedia had under the category “Third World,” is not exactly the ideal situation. And it’s more than obvious that this part of our journey is not what we originally had in mind. However, this is how things are at the moment (April 2020) and no one knows how or when it’ll be over.