Argentina to suprise Boks in RWC semi

Argentinian prop Juan Martin Scelzo has a butcher for a father. Although I'm sure the Buenos Aires meat handler is proficient, it is unlikely that he would have chopped up, let alone grilled, any Springbok. Scelzo on the other hand may start a family tradition because his side have a magnificent chance of upsetting the rugby odds on Sunday by beating an under-cooked South Africa in Paris in the World Cup semi-final. South African rugby coach Jake White has been saying all World Cup how battle-hardened his troops are, having had to face up to the physical onslaught of Samoa, England and Tonga in Pool A. However, the first two teams hardly gave the South Africans a contest and Tonga ran close White's second team, virtually none of which will be playing at the Stade de Fance in Paris. Only Fiji have pushed the first XV, and to be fair to the Pacific Islanders, they lack the intensity of the Pumas. The South Americans on the other hand have had things tough at the coal face. They were shoved straight into the spotlight in the opening night of the Rugby World Cup and came out ready victors against hosts France. After several routine successes against Namibia and Georgia, they were ready for the winner-takes-all showdown with Ireland in the Parc de Princes. They won that comfortably 30-15. A key facet of Argentina's play this Rugby World Cup has been the garry-owen. In a press conference on Thursday, Sale's Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe highlighted that the aerial bombardment was unlikely to stop, either. The flanker said: "We have to kick 140 up-and-unders and the line has to go forward. Perhaps the people [in the crowd] don't like it, but it is successful for us." Argentina have let in just three tries in all so far this Rugby World Cup and although South Africa are clearly better than Ireland and Scotland, they will have to be at their very best to breach the Pumas defensive line. It seems therefore, that coach Marcelo Loffreda is planning to bore the Springboks into submission and there are several reasons for thinking that they may be successful.This World Cup's leading points scorer Percy Montgomery has never been the best under the high ball, and pressure is a word that he has got better at coping with over the years, but has never managed to conquer. A couple of knock-ons by Percy in the tense first quarter could be all the underdogs need to get some points on the board through the boot of Juan Martin Hernandez, the fly-half for the South Americans. Hernandez has shown his proficiency at the drop goal tactic despite making five attempts against France and returning none. Against Scotland he was more proficient, and White's men need to be alive to the ruse. With Jonny Wilkinson reknown for the odd drop-goal attempt, it is no surprise to read that Ladbrokes go 5/1 that both No 10s will successfully let one fly over the crossbar this weekend. Argentina look excellent value at Stan James's stand-out quote of 3/1 but those lacking the necessary gumption, or maybe belief, should certainly consider the double-figure handicap option. With skipper Agustin Pichot telling all after their 19-13 win over Scotland last weekend that Argentina felt tired in the last quarter, the Pumas may lack the legs to fully chase down the Springboks at the very end. Have a saver on South Africa by 1-5 points if you can't envisage a France-Argentina re-match in the final. Verdict: 1pt Argentina @ 3/1 (Stan James) (Editor's Note: Argentina have proved the surprise package at this Rugby World Cup - can they now go on to beat South Africa at Paris in the Rugby World Cup semi-final? Follow all the latest rugby prices on Stan James!)