Rugby-Hard to play Boks in first test under new rules -Contepomi

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Facing world champions South Africa in Argentina's first test under the new rugby laws is not ideal, Pumas captain Felipe Contepomi said on Thursday.

Argentina take on the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday in a match that is part of former South African president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations.

It will also be the first time Argentina play under the Experimental Law Variations.

"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," flyhalf Contepomi said.

"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," he told a news conference.

"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."

The Pumas named 10 of their 2007 World Cup squad, which finished third in France, in their starting lineup, having called them back from their European clubs where they were preparing for the northern hemisphere season.

"The new rules suit (South Africa) better and the Springbok tactics suit the new rules," Contepomi said.