8 Nations Challenge [RSA vs Argentina]

The tournament kicked off at Athlone Stadium this evening with a welcome speech by Cape Town Mayor, Patricia De Lille.

One of her requests/comments were "that Cape Town would support" and i think for a tournament which has received as little publicity as this, the opening day drew a decent-to-good crowd.

Hosts South Africa kicked off proceedings with a game against Argentina.

Republic of South Africa
Lebu Ngubeni. Junior Sibande. Kgosietsile Ntlhe. Cebo Meyiwa. Snethemba Ngidi. Ayanda Ndlovu. Nkululeko Tshangane. Ebrahim Seedat. Asive Langwe. Jerry Mxabo. Mbongeni Gumede (c). 

Argentina 
Walter Benitez. Lisandro Magallan (c). Carlos Ruiz. Alan Aguirre. Matais Kranevitter. Jonathan Valle. Francisco Pizzini. Alan Ruiz. Federico Andrada. Brian Ferreira. Franco Fragapane. 

No coincidence he dons the same number as Veron #passmaster

The Argentine outfit were very composed in their play and it was evident that they had been given their mandate and were quite comfortable going about their business. Their modus operandi was basically get the ball to the feet of A. Ruiz [8] who was the conductor of the orchestrator. Ferreira [10] and Pizzini [7] are two players with dazzling skill and quick feet and aided Ruiz in the offensive area very well.

South Africa looked good in stages, especially when they let the ball do the work and got it out to their wingers or to Ngidi [7] who played a free role, drifting wide or playing just behind the frontman. He is diminutive in stature, but not afraid to take on the opposition.

The result ended 1-3 to the visitors. Two set-pieces, firstly Magallan rising above the defense to head home a free kick, then Fragapane doubling the advantage after some poor marking again. Aguirre made it three with yet another lapse in concentration by the RSA defense. We did pull a goal back through substitute Mthembu [18] in a move which saw us play direct football instead of trying to hold onto it for too long.

During the post match press conference Argentina's coach, Marcelo Trobbiani, had the following to say:

• It was a very physical game and he was impressed by the pace of the RSA players.
• He felt his players showed more control in possession and took their chances well.
• There are 4players playing regularly for their clubs' first team [which include Gimnasia, River Plate and Boca Juniors]

South African coach, Solomon Luvhengo, said the following:

• The goals came about through poor marking, which will need to be looked at going into the next game.
• He is positive about the way his side played, especially when they kept it simple and played more direct football.

A quote from Luvhengo which i found really nail-on-head stuff was: "Often, as South Africans, our greatest strength in a moment becomes our biggest weakness"
Referring to the way we held onto the ball for too long today, instead of allowing it to flow and getting at the opposition.


Both sides have to work on their defense, I feel, as even Argentina looked uneasy when they were run at.

An entertaining game of football, but i believe both sides have not hit their straps yet.

Best we get out to their next games to see it unfold!