THE signs were there last year that their time could come soon but as is usually the case with Argentina’s Pumas, their lack of consistency tends to cause a stumble at the last hurdle.
And when they were least expected to do it, they succeeded.
That was what happened last Saturday when they ended a miserable run of 18 Test defeats and one draw against the Springboks.
That they did it away from home and after making 11 changes to the starting line-up and after playing poorly to lose two consecutive Tests to the All Blacks and the Wallabies made their achievement in Durban all the more remarkable.
There to witness their triumph were the Pumas from 1965, the first team from there to tour South Africa.
Their victory was clear-cut and despite a brief comeback by the Springboks earlier in the second-half, a comfortable 27-13 lead at halftime ensured that the Pumas were not under too much pressure in the final 40 minutes.
With today’s Test being the final one for both sides before the World Cup starting later next month in England and with no points awarded for the Rugby Championship, both teams have decided to ring in the changes to either rest the injured or to give those who did not perform earlier another chance to prove their worth.
The Pumas make seven changes while the Springboks make eight, five due to injuries and three due to form. There is also one positional change, with utility back Jesse Kriel moving back from wing to outside centre.
So far it hasn’t been a good year for Boks coach Heyneke Meyer and another poor evening in Buenos Aires will surely dent his preparations for the World Cup.
In terms of World Rugby rankings they have dropped three places to fifth while the Pumas are at eight.
The hosts are expecting a backlash from the Springboks but with a noisy Buenos Aires crowd behind them, the Pumas could be expected to put up another decent performance.
Similarly, having won the Rugby Championship last weekend following a comprehensive win over the All Blacks, the Wallabies are expecting a backlash from their trans-Tasman rivals.
The composition of the All Blacks line-up does indicate that there will be more intensity in their physical approach, an area dominated by first the Springboks and then the Wallabies in two consecutive Tests.
This doesn’t often happen to the All Blacks, just as it’s not often that they lose two consecutive
The surprise calls from coach Steve Hansen are to start with Victor Vito as blindside flanker and having Jerome Kaino as cover for lock while also including a number of ageing players in the starting line-up, which some critics saw as being a liability of late.
In the latter category are Dan Carter, who needs an above average afternoon to prove that he is worth his place in the squad after a less than satisfactory Super Rugby season during which he played mostly as inside-centre and a very poor outing against the Wallabies last weekend, the midfield pair of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, and frontrowers Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu, who will be on the bench.
Rugby commentators in New Zealand also had the knives out after the last defeat on Woodcock and fellow prop on Owen Franks, who gets another chance to start at Eden Park.
The Wallabies too make their changes, bringing in playmaker Quade Cooper who had a less than average Super Rugby.
New Zealand-born Cooper can be expected to be put under pressure by the home supporters due to past issues, especially an unflattering encounter with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw before the last World Cup.
Another win means the Wallabies get to keep the Bledisloe Cup which has been with the All Blacks since 2003 but the All Blacks too need a win to soothe bruised egos and bring back on track their World Cup preparations.