Springboks' depth and flexibility making them unstoppable, says Nick Mallett

South Africa climbed to the summit of the Southern Hemisphere competition after producing a dazzling all-round display in their 67-30 triumph over Argentina in Durban on Saturday.

With five rounds played, the Boks lead the standings on 15 points, one ahead of the All Blacks, four clear of Australia, and six above Los Pumas, who sit bottom of the table.

While the final scoreline suggested a comfortable victory, the match wasn't always plain sailing for the Boks. Argentina led for much of the opening half before flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's inspired play swung momentum and gave South Africa a 25-23 advantage at the break.

The Boks had been under severe pressure shortly before half-time when Malcolm Marx was shown a yellow card for collapsing a maul on his try line - a double blow as it also resulted in a penalty try. But even a man down, South Africa's depth and flexibility came to the fore.

Rassie Erasmus responded with bold tactical switches, sending on Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw for Siya Kolisi and Thomas du Toit. Despite fielding a seven-man scrum, the Boks overpowered their opponents and earned a crucial penalty.

From that point, the world champions seized control, with several players seamlessly excelling in unfamiliar roles - something which has become a hallmark of their campaign.

"It's a wonderful thing," Mallett told the Talking Boks podcast with Brenden Nel and Gavin Rich. "We're in a situation now where players like Sacha goes from flyhalf to fullback, Manie comes on, it is just as good as when Sacha was flyhalf and Damian (Willemse) was at fullback.

"You had Wessels come on at hooker at one scrum, and then Boan Venter, and then Wessels went to loosehead, and then Marx came back on. I mean, it's incredible.

"The machine keeps on going, you know? And I think that is what is so laudable about this Springbok squad, that they have bought into the fact that they have to be able to play, if they can, in more than one position to help the team out.

"And secondly, (they) don't panic. If we're down to 14, it's not the end of the world. Or if we've lost Kolbe and then Kwagga (comes in) on the wing, it's not the end of the world.

"We're still gonna be able to fight, and Kolbe's played scrumhalf in the past, popped in there and played a bit of scrum-half.

"We've had Grant Williams play on the wing, and I could go on and on. Esterhuizen at the flank. So it hasn't stopped us from being and getting better and better.

"I think there were worse games this season, quite frankly, where Italy or Georgia, the first game against Australia. You know, we weren't so good, obviously, in Cape Town, and I think we missed an opportunity to win in Eden Park. But these last two games have been very good.

"And going into, you asked me a question about being coach. I mean, Felipe Contepomi's an outstanding coach. But you can do nothing if you don't stop us on the gainline, if you don't stop us from getting momentum.

"The moment this Bok team gets momentum, we have so many options, and the options are not just passing. We pass with kick passes, you know? The accuracy of our kick passes is so good. We see, if we have a fly-half, we see space like Sacha or Manie."

According to the former Bok coach, South Africa are overwhelming favourites to seal the Championship in Saturday's rematch against Argentina at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

"Any opposition is in serious trouble when we get front-foot ball. So, I can't see (other teams winning against the Boks). France, perhaps. I personally don't think Ireland are going to be able to match us at this level," he said.

"And at the moment, New Zealand haven't got the players. Australia have improved. But this competition is ours to throw away now.

"The match at Twickenham next week is going to be played in front of 30 to 40,000 South Africans who are going to come flooding into that game.

"And I can't see how Argentina are going to pick themselves up because they played quite well in that first half (in Durban). And it was 24-22 (25-23 at half-time).

"And we were leading, having not played well. So, it's going to be tough for them."

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