The Springboks are braced for a titanic battle in the scrum when they face the Pumas in Argentina on Saturday in the Rugby Championship.

The Argentines are renowned for their prowess in the set-piece, while the Springboks’ scrum is second to none at the moment. The former Cheetah, Ox Nche, as well as Thomas du Toit, will start at prop for Saturday’s must-win Test and they are expecting nothing less than a good challenge.

Daan Human (left) and Bryan Habana (right). Photo: Morgan Piek

The Springbok scrum coach, Daan Human, is known for making the scrummaging sessions during the week very tough, and his philosophy is to better prepare the forwards for the challenge that awaits on gameday. Human truly loves the dark arts of the scrum, and he knows how to get his players excited about it as well.

The experienced Du Toit, who plays for Bath in England, told OFM Sport that it’s going to be a proper battle in the frontrow.

“I believe it’s kind of like the Clash of the Titans,” said Du Toit.

“These guys really pride themselves on their scrum, and we obviously do as well. It’s going to be a really proper battle and we’re all quite excited about it.

“How you prepare for that, is just going to be the way we normally do. Daan has got a really good system in place for that. He does make it very tough during the week so that the weekend feels not as tough, but against these guys, it’s going to be proper. It’s a proper battle and one we know that will last for the full 80 minutes.”

The fiery Jan-Hendrik Wessels of Bloemfontein will get his first taste of scrummaging against Argentina. Photo: Morgan Piek

Saturday’s Test in Santiago del Estero kicks off at 23:00.

Argentina – TBA

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements – 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh