Head to Head: Federico Méndez (Argentina) v John Smit (South Africa): This is a battle not just of hookers, the hard men of the scrum, but also of two players who were team-mates back in 2002 ... at the Natal Sharks. Injury robbed the Sharks of their top hookers, including Smit, and Mendez - on his second visit to the Sharks - helped them reach first place in the Currie Cup standings. Mendez brings with him that hard edge, which the Pumas will need after losing five of their top tight forwards. Smit, of course, is the Bok captain and thus plays an equally important role in the game.

Prediction: The Springboks should have too much class, especially in the backline, for a depleted Pumas team.Rugby365 Prediction: The Springboks to win by 15 points

Recent results:2003: In Port Elizabeth: South Africa won 26-252002: In Springs: South Africa won 49-292000: In Buenos Aires: South Africa won 37-331996: In Buenos Aires: South Africa won 44-211996: In Buenos Aires: South Africa won 46-15

Teams:

Argentina: 15 Juan Martín Hernández, 14 Pablo Gómez Cora, 13 Manuel Contepomi, 12 Gonzalo Tiesi, 11 Lucas Borges, 10 Juan de la Cruz Fernández Miranda, 9 Agustín Pichot (captain), 8 Augusto Petrilli, 7 Lucas Ostiglia, 6 Martín Durand, 5 Pablo Bouza, 4 Santiago Artese, 3 Eusebio Guiñazu, 2 Federico Méndez, 1 Leopoldo De Chazal.Replacements: 16 Marcos Ayerza, 17 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 18 Manuel Carizza, 19 Martín Schusterman, 20 Nicolás Fernández Miranda, 21 Miguel Avramovic, 22 Francisco Bosch.

South Africa: 15 Gaffie du Toit, 14 Jaque Fourie, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 Wayne Julies, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Solly Tyibilika, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.Replacements: 16 Danie Coetzee, 17 Os du Randt, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 De Wet Barry, 22 Brent Russell.

Date: 4 December 2004Kick-off: 17.00 local time (20.00 GMT, 22.00 SA time)Venue: Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos AiresConditions: Partly Cloudy. High 27°C, low 13°C Referee: Chris White (England) Touch judges: Tony Spreadbury (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)Assessor: Carlos Molinari (Argentina)

By Jan de Koning

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