The scrum will be a major area of confrontation for South Africa

The Springboks are favourites to reach the final but the coaching staff are worried about how they will handle the South American side's massive pack.

"If we don't stand up physically we're in for a hiding," said Coetzee.

"You can't take any side for granted in the knockout stages and they can beat any side on their day."

The Springboks have already been given a scare by Tonga (30-25) in their pool game, while Fiji gave them a fright in the quarter-final, scoring two quick tries midway through the second half before succumbing 37-20.

We see some weaknesses in South Africa's team Argentina technical director Les Cusworth

But South Africa insist they are glad to be playing a side that base their game on forward play after playing the free-running Pacific Island teams.

"We're more comfortable, yes," Coetzee continued.

"The one thing in rugby that you cannot beat is pace and that is what all the Islanders have.

"The Pumas haven't played in the semi-finals before but they're a passionate nation and they want to get to the final and that's what we're aware of."

South Africa forwards coach Gert Smal is confident his pack will hold their own against the Pumas in Paris.

"We know what they're going to throw at us," he said.

"That's obviously their strength. That's where they want to dominate us. Their whole game is planned around that.

"We will be well prepared and it's important that what you've planned and prepared for is executed with conviction and that your senior players in the difficult times be composed and pull it through."

606: DEBATE It would not surprise me to see Argentina go all the way - they have the best nine, 10 and 12 at the World Cup FA

Meanwhile, Argentina technical director Les Cusworth believes they have seen enough of the South Africans to believe the Pumas have a good chance on creating an upset.

The former England international said: "We played against them in 2004, and with a team that wasn't our best we were able to score three tries against them.

"We have never beaten them and we respect them a lot for their history.

"It's going to be very physical. They have a lot of experience, very good set-pieces, good backs - but we do see some weaknesses in the team."

Cusworth says in centre Felipe Contepomi and fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez, who have both been nominated for the International Rugby Board Player of the Year award, the Pumas have their own potential match-winners.

"Felipe's progress in the past few years has been incredible," added Cusworth, who has been part of Argentina's coaching set-up for five years.

"As for Hernandez, what stands out are his abilities and his manner. He is turning into a great player and he's going to get even better.

"You could say that he's a bit like Stephen Larkham a few years ago but you can't really compare him with anyone.