ARGENTINA

Contepomi lauds Springboks

Thursday 07th August 2008

Captain's job: Contepomi is ready to face the world's best

Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi believes facing South Africa under the new 'global ELVs' is less than ideal.

The two sides clash in a one-off Test, the Mandela Challenge, at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday and Contepomi has been handed the captaincy for the occasion.

Having yet to play under the ELVs - their three Tests since the World Cup have all fallen under the old laws - Argentina face a stiff challenge.

Santiago Phelan has named ten of those involved in the Rugby World Cup, although virtually the entire squad have had to interrupt pre-season training to play in the game.

"The new rules suit South Africa better and the Springbok tactics suit the new rules," Contepomi told the press on Thursday.

"In the World Cup we saw them kick a lot, they had a very solid defence and a lethal counter-attack.

"We are expecting a very physical confrontation, but the Springboks are not just emphasising the physical side. They are also becoming more intelligent and exposing their rivals' deficiencies more."

Added to the fact they will be playing under the ELVs Contepomi believes South Africa are the best side in the world at present, hardly ideal opponents for a side who have not played for over two months.

"I believe the Springboks are the best team in the world at the moment, they are the world champions and they have started well in the Tri-nations," Contepomi added.

"It is an away game for us and you wouldn't choose to play the best team in the world, when most of your players are in the middle of their pre-season, as your first outing under the new rules.

"But if you are given the opportunity to play against top international teams then you have to take it and hopefully it will pay off."