KEY POINTS:
Hammerings as big as 63-9, generally leave little room for discussion or doubt. But South Africa's annihilation of a hugely disappointing Argentina in Johannesburg yesterday raised more questions than it answered.
The All Blacks squad must have been perplexed as they saw the Springboks play like disjointed strangers in the opening half hour, making copious mistakes and showing no cohesion whatever. Argentina led 9-0 and a difficult day loomed in the winter sunshine of the high veldt.
Yet 50 minutes later, the Boks had run in nine tries, converted the lot and swamped the Pumas.
But out of such bizarre goings on, major questions arose that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has to answer in the next 48 hours. Chief among them is whether he starts Saturday's Tri-Nations test against the All Blacks in Cape Town with the man generally regarded as the world's No 1 halfback.
When Fourie du Preez ran on for the last half hour yesterday, he had much the same sort of effect as Ferrari's chief technician in the pits at a F1 Grand Prix. The machine purred under his influence. Du Preez was a smooth, highly dangerous linkman and a sinuous runner from the scrum base. He also gelled beautifully with Butch James as the two pulled the strings that tore Argentina to pieces.
Du Preez hasn't started a test match since the World Cup final. But if ever a player reminded the world of his quality, it was him. So that will be the first question in coach De Villiers' mind as he ponders his starting line-up for Newlands. The second will be whether to retain Luke Watson, a genuine fetcher, or revert to the physicality of Schalk Burger to take on Richie McCaw at the breakdown.
Burger's strength is renowned; he uses his body as a weapon. But the new ELVs which have made the breakdown the most important part of the game have highlighted the need for a genuine fetcher.
But these selections depend upon what sort of game South Africa want to play. I believe they will drop Watson and revert to Burger and a more physical approach.
The selection at halfback is tougher. Ricky Januarie won the Dunedin test for his side with an audacious piece of inventive play. But he lacks the composure, the sheer class of Du Preez. If you want the best chance of defeating New Zealand, Du Preez is surely crucial now he is fit again.
All Black coach Graham Henry will await the South African selection with fascination.
