2025 Rugby Championship Round 5 Predictions & Tips

South Africa vs Argentina Predictions - Los Pumas to challenge Springboks in Durban

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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South Africa has won 9 of the last 10 matches vs Argentina.
Springboks remain unbeaten at home vs Argentina since 2015.
Argentina is in good form but faces a must-win challenge.
South Africa regains form after a big win over New Zealand.
Argentina likely to field their strongest team for this key match.

South Africa vs Argentina Rugby Championship

South Africa have won their last 9 home matches against Argentina. (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Argentina Predictions

Argentina will be proud of their performances to date and with a bit of luck, could have been at the top of the table going into this match. However, they generally struggle on South African soil. While I believe the Springboks will win, Los Pumas are backed to cover +16.

South Africa vs Argentina Predictions
Head to Head
South Africa Form
South Africa Team News
Argentina Form
Argentina Team News

South Africa have won 9 of their last 10 matches against Argentina.
South Africa have won their last 9 home matches against Argentina.
South Africa have won 8 of their last 10 home matches.
Argentina have not won in South Africa since 2015.
Argentina have won 2 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

South Africa have won nine of their last 10 matches against Argentina.

In 2024, Los Pumas beat the Springboks at home (29-28) but in South Africa the hosts were far too good, winning 48-7 at Mbombela Stadium.

South Africa Form

South Africa are in second place on the Rugby Championship table, a point off Australia, level on points with New Zealand and one point clear of Argentina.

The Springboks have had some ups-and-downs in the opening four rounds. They lost their opener at home to Australia before bouncing back a week later against the same opposition, although they were hardly convincing.

That was followed by a poor first half performance at Eden Park, and although Erasmus’ charges fought back in the second half, they still fell seven points short.

A week later, South Africa produced a magnificent second half performance, thrashing the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington. That bonus point victory has put them right back in contention for the title.

Inconsistencies aside, the Springboks took some time to find their groove but will now have to maintain their level of performance.

South Africa Team News

Rassie Erasmus has mostly stuck with the side that beat New Zealand, which is quite against how he normally does things. Damian Willemse shifts to fullback with Fassi injured. Damian de Allende starts at 12. Eben Etzebeth is also back int the side.

Argentina Form

Argentina have been brilliant during the Rugby Championship thus far. Bar for their round one home defeat to New Zealand, they could and should have won every game.

Los Pumas bounced back to beat the All Blacks in round two before taking a trip to Australia. They lost the opening game but held a big half-time lead and should have held on for the win. They again built a solid lead a week later and that time held on for the win against the Wallabies.

The tough part for Argentina starts now. They have only ever won once in South Africa (2015) and they don’t have a home game to fall back on next week, either. That fixture will take place in London.

One would imagine that for Argentina to win their first-ever Rugby Championship title, this game in Durban is a must-win for them. Despite an already good season, they will like nothing more than causing an upset against the double world champions.

Argentina Team News

Argentina is likely to rotate a bit again this weekend but with a week break behind them, they will surely field their strongest side. It is all or nothing this weekend with a defeat all but knocking them out of contention for the title.

Verdict

South Africa v Argentina

Argentina have been very strong this season. I am backing them to get within 16 points of the hosts.

Argentina +16

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