KEY POINTS:
PARIS - South Africa coach Jake White believes Argentina counterpart Marcelo Loffreda may have unwittingly supplied the ammunition that will fire the Springboks to victory in their World Cup semi-final.
White and Loffreda are close friends and once worked briefly side-by-side at a coaching session in the South African town of False Bay.
"He showed me their mauling technique and how they keep the ball up at a club session," said White.
"It will be quite intersesting now that he has shown me his trade secrets. He's a really good friend of mine, he's done unbelievable things for Argentinian rugby. He has created one of the biggest achievements in Argentinian sport."
The Pumas have never defeated South Africa in 11 previous official Tests but they have been impressive at the World Cup defeating both hosts France and Ireland in a tough pool section.
Argentina then edged past Scotland to reach the semi-finals for the first time.
"I haven't shown him everything, I've shown him a couple of video clips and kept a few in my memory cards," said White.
"But things have changed, that's why you don't mind sharing things. As the game evolves, you have to make sure that you evolve with it."
South Africa, the 1995 champions, are now the favourites to win the 2007 title after the All Blacks were dumped out in the quarter-finals by France while England, the holders, saw off Australia.
But White isn't underestimating the Pumas who they haven't played since 2005 when they clinched a 34-23 win in Buenos Aires.
The Springboks coach believes the south Americans have improved in those two years.
"They kick more than any other team and they have (Juan Martin) Hernandez at fly half who controls the whole game with his boot," said White.
"It's a case of making sure that we control the kick returns and get some structure.
"But we have played them on numerous occasions, we know what to expect. They pride themselves on the scrums, they are very passionate, they give you everything they've got."
White has been buoyed by the return to fitness of prop CJ van der Linde who missed the quarter-final victory against Fiji because of an injured knee.
"My knee's fine. There's no pain or anything and I feel good," said van der Linde.
- AFP
