South Africa v Argentina, Rugby Championship, August 18
Pumas out to overturn losing record
ESPN Staff
August 13, 2012
South Africa's Jongi Nokwe breaks clear to score, South Africa v Argentina, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, August 9, 2008
Jongi Nokwe scored on debut for South Africa against Argentina in 2008 © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Rugby Championship

Argentina will break new ground on Saturday when they face South Africa at Newlands in their first Rugby Championship match.

The Pumas have waited a long time to be included in a major world competition, but the weight of history is against them when it comes to the Springboks.

They met most recently in 2008, when South Africa ran in nine tries in a 63-9 victory at Ellis Park, although the travelling side that day was far from full-strength.

Their previous meeting was the most important in their 13-match history and came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. South Africa prevailed 37-13 thanks to a Bryan Habana brace to book their place in the final - where they defeated England.

The teams first met in 1993 - although the South American Jaguars were regular visitors to South Africa during their sporting isolation - when the Springboks prevailed 29-26 in Buenos Aires.

South Africa v Argentina

All-time record: Played: 13, South Africa won 13

Biggest winning margin: South Africa: 54 (Johannesburg, 2008)

Highest score: South Africa 63 (63-9, Johannesburg, 2008); Argentina 33 (33-37, Buenos Aires, 2000)

Most tries: South Africa 9 (Johannesburg, 2008), Argentina 3 (four occasions)

Most points (individual): South Africa: 47 Joel Stransky ; Argentina: 50 Gonzalo Quesada

Most tries (individual): South Africa: 5 James Small; Argentina: 2 Manuel and Felipe Contepomi, Gonzalo Camardon, Rolando Martin

Statsguru archive:

Click here for South Africa's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for Argentina's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for a record of all South Africa v Argentina matches courtesy of Statsguru

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