The Springbok struggled initially against the Pumas at Estadio Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday, however, their second-half performance secured a well-deserved 24-13 win in their first of three Rugby World Cup warm-up games.
Despite a confident start by the Springboks their ill-discipline, sub-standard decision making and missed penalties by Manie Libbok allowed Argentina to claw their way back into the match and lead 10-03 after forty minutes of play. The Springboks' second-half performance was a lot better and at the end, they cruised to a 24-13 win.
The Springboks started like a house on fire to dominate the opening minutes of the match, however, they could only open their account after fifteen minutes of play with a converted penalty by Manie Libbok to which Argentina replied with the first try of the match seven minutes later as Argentina claws their way back into the match. The Sprinboks' ill-discipline is making it easy for Argentina to pile on the pressure before scoring the try.
Despite the Springboks dominating the territorial statistics, they could not convert their dominance into points and trailed 10-03 after forty minutes of play in the first half. Two missed penalty conversion attempts by Libbok and ill disciple by the Springboks were the main reason for the Springboks trailing 03-10 going into the second half.
A superb start by the Springboks to the second half as the Springboks spread the ball to the blind side for Makazole Mapimpi to score the Springboks' first to level the scores at 10-10. The Springboks took the lead minutes later when a brilliant cross-kick by Libbok was controlled by Canan Moodie, to score the Springboks' second try. The Springboks led 15-10 after seven minutes of play in the second half.
The sides traded converted penalties as the Springboks led 18-13 after sixty minutes of play. Libbok started to slot penalties with ease and added three unanswered penalties to extend the Springboks' lead to 24-13 and ten minutes left to play, which was also the full-time score.
Scorers:
Argentina: Try: Gonzalo Bertranou. Conversion: Emiliano Boffelli. Penalty: Emiliano Boffelli (2).
Springboks: Tries: Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie. Conversion: Manie Libbok. Penalties: Manie Libbok (4).
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Martin Bogado, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Matias Moroni.
Springboks: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse.