Argentina's captain Augustin Pichot looks ahead to his country's biggest ever game [AFP]

Although the Pumas complained of various minor complaints after their 19-13 victory over Scotland, they will have all their big guns available to face the Springboks at the Stade de France.
 
Flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who has emerged as one of the tournament’s best players, has recovered from a leg injury and veteran scrumhalf Agustin Pichot will start despite a back problem.
 
From outside the clubs

Argentina is the first team from outside the Tri-Nations and Six Nations
to reach the last four of rugby's showcase event and the Pumas' achievements have taken the spotlight from the nation's football stars back home.

"I know that many people are surprised with our performance. The most important thing is that we are not surprised," coach Marcelo Loffreda said.

"We knew we were going to do quite well in this tournament because we have a good preparation, because the players have experience, because they have a good leadership, because they have a lot of confidence with their weapons and with their mind."

Argentina upset host France 17-12 in the opening match of the championship and, like the Springboks, have won all five games so far.

Sobering statistics

However, they have lost all 11 previous meetings with South Africa, and the Springboks, who won the title in 1995, are strong favorites to win the game and face either host France or defending champion England in the Oct. 20 final.

"We are usually underdogs, so we are better in this position," Loffreda said.

"It seems that we have to be underdogs to put our mind in perfect line and this is one of those times.

"With the story of both teams it will mean of course more possibilities for South Africa than Argentina. But that kind of adversity is where we are more comfortable."

Van der Linde back

Meanwhile, CJ Van der Linde will return after a knee injury and Bob Skinstad will get a place on the bench for the Springboks.

Van de Linde was sidelined for the 37-10 quarterfinal victory over Fiji.

His return means that Jannie du Plessis, who was called up to the squad when regular tighthead prop Brendon Botha was forced out of the tournament after injuring his left knee, will drop to the bench.

Skinstad played in the 1999 semifinal loss to Australia and then missed the entire 2003 competition after breaking his arm.

The winner of Sunday's game at the Stade de France will play either host France or defending champion England who face each other on Saturday.

Argentina: Ignacio Corleto, Lucas Borges, Manuel Contepomi, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla, Juan Martin Hernandez, Agustin Pichot (captain); Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma Arocena, Martin Scelzo, Carlos Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Patricio Albacete, Lucas Ostiglia, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Gonzalo Longo Elia.

Replacements: Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Omar Hasan Jalil, Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Federico Todeschini, Gonzalo Tiesi.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Jacque Fourie, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez; Os du Randt, John Smit (captain), CJ van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw

Replacements: Bismarck de Plessis, Jannie de Plessis, Johann Muller, Bob Skinstad, Ruan Pienaar, Andre Pretorius, Wynand Olivier.

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