Pumas face hard task against South Africa

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Argentina know they face a hard task when they take on South Africa in the Mandela Tribute test on Saturday.

Argentina have played the Springboks 12 times since 1993 without winning a test and their wait for a triumph is expected to last a little longer.

The Johannesburg test is being played as part of the 90th birthday celebrations of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the Springboks have chosen their best available team for a game that comes a week before they resume their Tri-nations campaign.

"We are playing the world champions at home and it is also a great occasion for them because they are celebrating Mr Mandela's birthday," Argentine loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe said this week.

"They are a great team, wherever you look, in any position, they have great strength. It will be really hard for us but we will give everything for as long as we can."

The Springboks are expecting the Pumas to mount a tremendous forward onslaught, based on their traditional strength in the pack.

"It's going to be tough up front, Argentina's game is based on their forwards. Scrumming against Argentina is the acid test and their kicking game is very good as well, because of their soccer background," Springboks forwards coach Gary Gold told a news conference on Friday.

"We respect them, we're going to have our hands full and we have to be prepared to take them on up front."