Read reveals how Argentina's blueprint could help All Blacks dismantle the Springboks

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has identified Argentina’s recent performance against South Africa as a tactical template for how New Zealand should approach the Springboks, citing Los Pumas’ ability to find space on the edges despite a 17-10 defeat in Buenos Aires.

Argentina led 10-3 for much of the first half and generated six line breaks to one in the opening 30 minutes, with right wing Ignacio Mendy finishing the match with four line breaks. The home side were unable to convert those opportunities into points, but Read believes the attacking principles they demonstrated are directly transferable.

“Even though they didn’t put anything on the table in Argentina, Argentina showed us exactly how we should try to beat the Springboks,” Read said on The Good, The Bad & Rugby ANZ podcast. “They found space on the edge. They defend between the 15s, the South Africans, and they’re not going to go away from that DNA.”

Read elaborated on the specific mechanics, arguing that quick ruck ball in the middle of the field is the key to unlocking South Africa’s defensive structure. “There is space there; you’ve got to be willing to trust the pass and trust your depth to be able to get the ball there and create opportunities off the back of that because they will scramble and you might only make a 10m break down that sideline, but if you can get quick ball off that, it creates opportunities elsewhere.”

He added: “The Argies showed us a great blueprint: you get a quick ruck ball in the middle of the ruck, they don’t have a sweeper, they don’t play a traditional nine — it’s on.”

Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall also weighed in, pointing to altitude as a potential factor in New Zealand’s favour, with the All Blacks having trained at elevation for longer during this preparation cycle after South Africa split their squad and sent half to Argentina.

Marshall drew on the 2022 Test in Mbombela, where Ian Foster’s side moved the ball from all areas of the field and physically wore down the Springbok pack. “We lost the first Test in Nelspruit; we came down here as complete underdogs but moved the ball from all parts of the field, and Rassie had to replace his entire front row in about the 33rd minute — they were gassed, completely cooked,” Marshall said.

“That’s what you’ve got to do to this Springboks side because they’re a juggernaut. They’re so well-drilled, they’ve got such great method, they’ve got good DNA, good combinations, but everybody folds when you’re tired. Everybody concedes when you’ve got no air left in your chest.”