Super Springboks shine
Damn, that was good to watch if you’re a Springboks supporter.
The Springboks scored four tries in an emphatic 37-15 win against the Pumas.
The Springboks tight play was particularly impressive against an opponent with a famed scrum and lineout. The hosts, playing in front of a near sell out crowd of 43 000 in Port Elizabeth, took the lead through an Elton Jantjies penalty in the 10th minute and never relinquished the advantage.
The Springboks led 13-5 at halftime but the scoreboard was not a reflection of the South African control. This dominance would however be shown by the final whistle.
The Springboks enjoyed 79 percent territory in the opening 20 minutes and while they led by just six points they were in total control of the the tempo and pace of the game. It is harder on the legs and mind to defend than attack and the Pumas in this opening period were made to defend.
The Boks, from the kick-off, owned this match. They took the ball through 16 phases in the opening three minutes and it was the trend of the match.
Argentina scored two superb tries but as a contest there was only going to be one winner.
Keo.co.za match prediction: ‘Boks by 15’
Coenie Oosthuizen, playing at tighthead, was named Man of the Match. The Sharks strongman produced his best performance at tighthead.
The Boks were strong at the breakdown, physical and clever in their approach and very positive in their attack.
Loose-forwards Uzair Cassiem and Jaco Kriel were prominent and the pack, collectively, were immense.
The Boks have now won four and drawn one of the five Tests played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Scorers:
South Africa 37 (13)
Tries: Courtnall Skosan, Raymond Rhule, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit
Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3)
Penalties: Jantjies (3)
Argentina 15 (5)
Tries: Martin Landajo, Emiliano Boffelli
Conversion: Juan Martin Hernandez
Penalty: Nicolas Sanchez
Springboks: Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Uzair Cassiem, Jaco Kriel, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Coenie Oosthuizen, Malcolm Marx, Beast Mtawirira. Substitutes: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Curwin Bosch, Damian de Allende.
Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet; 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli; 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo; 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera; 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti; 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Substitutes:Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Ramiro Herrera, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio, Tomas Cubelli, Juan Martin Hernandez, Matias Moroni
Head-to-head: Springboks v Argentina
2017: South Africa 37 Argentina 15, Port Elizabeth (Rugby Championship)
2016: Argentina 26-24 South Africa, Salta (Rugby Championship)
2016: South Africa 30-23 Argentina, Nelspruit (Rugby Championship)
2015: South Africa 24-13 Argentina, London (RWC bronze final)
2015: Argentina 12-26 South Africa, Buenos Aires (RWC warm-up)
2015: South Africa 25-37 Argentina, Durban (Rugby Championship)
2014: Argentina 31-33 South Africa, Salta (Rugby Championship)
2014: South Africa 13-6 Argentina, Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
2013: Argentina 17-22 South Africa, Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
2013: South Africa 73-13 Argentina, Soweto (Rugby Championship)
2012: Argentina 16-16 South Africa, Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
2012: South Africa 27-6 Argentina, Cape Town (Rugby Championship)
2008: South Africa 63-9 Argentina, Johannesburg
2007: South Africa 37-13 Argentina, Paris (RWC semi-final)
2005: Argentina 23-34 South Africa, Buenos Aires
2004: Argentina 7-39 South Africa, Buenos Aires
2003: South Africa 26-25 Argentina, Port Elizabeth
2002: South Africa 49-29 Argentina, Springs
2000: Argentina 33-37 South Africa, Buenos Aires
1996: Argentina 21-44 South Africa, Buenos Aires
1996: Argentina 15-46 South Africa, Buenos Aires
1994: South Africa 46-26 Argentina, Johannesburg
1994: South Africa 42-22 Argentina, Port Elizabeth
1993: Argentina 23-52 South Africa, Buenos Aires
1993: Argentina 26-29 South Africa, Buenos Aires
