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PARIS - South Africa will have to be at their toughest, both tactically and physically, when they face Argentina in their World Cup semifinal on Monday, says assistant coach Allister Coetzee.
He admits that the Springboks got themselves into difficulties during the tournament with scares against Tonga and Fiji in the quarter-finals.
But leadership on the pitch by veterans such as captain John Smit and record caps holder Percy Montgomery helped to see them through.
However, Coetzee predicted the Stade de France clash would be tight.
"It's going to be a tactical game," he said. "We have got to be tactically up for it and play them correctly.
"Also physically, you have to stand up against the Argentinians, if you don't, you will have no chance.
"You have to make sure you have agood kicking game to put them under pressure."
Coetzee is happy that the Springboks have respected commanders on the pitch.
"One thing that we have in this group of players is leadership," said Coetzee, who was an outstanding scrum-half in his playing days but never represented the Boks because of the international boycott over apartheid.
"No one is hiding at the moment in this team. The guys just want to achieve our dream, and that is to get to the final and the only way to do that is to be honest.
"Our leaders have to step up when it comes to the bigger games, and that is what we expect in these final two games.
"I think it says more about this World Cup [referring to the quarter-final defeats for the Wallabies and the All Blacks], if you are not well prepared and you are under pressure, then you lose out."
Coetzee admitted that the 1995 champions were happier to be facing the Argentine style than that of Fiji or Tonga, against whom South Africa were often beaten for pace.
The Pumas play the game at a more sedate speed and build their attacks mostly through the scrum.
"What we realised [during the Fijian game] was that the things we spoke about, like turning ball over, is crucial and the guys saw that in the first 10 minutes of the game," said Coetzee.
"There is one thing about South Africans - we always put ourselves in difficult situations and, fortunately, we have got out of it so far.
"We also learned that you have to start well and I think we have got the leadership.
"What we took from the game against Fiji is that you can't take any team for granted, especially when it comes to the quarters, the knockout stages of this competition."
Coetzee conceded the Boks were facing a formidable challenge against a side that has already beaten hosts France, Six Nations Triple Crown holders Ireland and Scotland in the quarter-finals, though they looked out on their feet by the final 15 minutes of that match.
"The Pumas have been playing really well. They are one of those sides that people think have made progress over the year," said Coetzee.
"Their fly half, Juan Martin Hernandez, has also been named one of the nominations for the IRB player of the year.
"And with their pack of forwards, obviously, they can beat anyone on their day if you don't get it right.
"They have a strong scrum, and as has been shown in the World Cup, that is still a big area to dominate.
"If you don't get it right, and you can ask the French, the Pumas are a very passionate nation and they want to get to the final - and that is what we are aware of."
AFP
