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South Africa cruised past Argentina in Salta, winning 41-23. The result was Argentina’s biggest home defeat against South Africa in Rugby Championship history.
The Springboks, playing in red, were the superior team. For the second week running South Africa pulled off a comprehensive win over Argentina.
The win game despite the early signs going in Argentina’s favor. First winger Emiliano Boffelli landed a 2nd minute penalty from inside his own half. Elton Jantjies then failed with two penalty attempts, both far easier than that landed by Boffelli.
Despite trailing on the scoreboard, South Africa was enjoying more possession and territory. Having advanced into the Pumas half an attacking play was ended when Tomás Lavanini was yellow carded. He was adjudged to have tackled with no arms, though the interpretation may have been light. While no red card was given there would be one to follow.
With a one-man advantage South Africa would claim the lead. From a set-move Jantjies created a play for flanker, Siya Kolisi to score. He did so under the posts the make it a certain 7-pointer. Jantjies followed it up with a penalty to give the Springboks a 10-3 lead.
The South African fly half would feature for further first half points. He would do so on the back of some impressive work from the Springboks pack. Leading proceedings in the maul, the South Africans were able to frustrate Argentina. Referee Pascal Gaüzère spoke to Agustín Creevy about the discipline and from the following phase yellow carded Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Jantjies landed a penalty from the offense.
From the kick-off Argentina pulled-off a shock. Winger Ramiro Moyano chased and gathered the kick to score. The Tucumán flier’s score was converted by Juan Martín Hernández. With it the half time score was 17-10 to South Africa.
Enterprising play from Argentina to open the second half saw the South Americans awarded a penalty. Hernández found target to make it a four point ball game.
Rather than succumb to Argentine pressure, South Africa hit-back smartly. The visitors scored back with Kolisi again being the try scorer. The try was his 4th in 30 test matches and his 3rd in the past two.
Still with plenty of time to play, either side could have won. Argentina’s prospects, though, came crashing down in the 56th minute. A second yellow card to Lavanini saw the home side down to 14 men for the remainder of the match.
Lavanini was yellow carded for slapping down a pass with a try on in the corner for South Africa. The result was a double yellow card, thereby a red card. The devastation for Argentina did not end there as Gaüzère also awarded a penalty try to South Africa.
With the match over for Argentina there was still time for South Africa. Replacement Jean-Luc du Preez crossed for a late try to pile the pressure on Daniel Hourcade. The result is also certain to see questions over the policy of not picking from Europe questioned.
While the loss will not be taken lightly the advancement of some Pumas players is clear. Tomás Cubelli and Ramiro Moyano were both impressive while Emiliano Boffelli looms as a 13 and may well be used in the position sooner rather than later.
No Rugby Championship matches will be played next weekend. The bye will give Argentina the opportunity to recover and rethink before traveling to play away to New Zealand and Australia in rounds 3 and 4. Lavanini’s involvement will be determined over the coming days.
SCORERS
ARGENTINA
Try: Moyano, Moroni
Conversion: Hernández, Sánchez
Penalty: Bofelli (2), Hernández
Yellow Card: Lavanini, Leguizamón
Red Card: Lavanini
SOUTH AFRICA
Try: Kolisi (2), Jantjies, Penalty Try, Du Preez
Conversion: Jantjies (4)
Penalty: Jantjies (2)
Yellow Card: Coetzee
ARGENTINA
1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Tomás Lezana, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 15 Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Matías Moroni
SOUTH AFRICA
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (Capt.), 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Damian de Allende
Attendance 17,435
