Argentina managed to scare the daylights out of a previously rampant South Africa on Saturday night in Mendoza, playing an amazing game that was only won by two second half penalties from five-eighth Morne Steyn.
After a humiliating 60-point defeat in Soweto last weekend, Los Pumas proved to be a much better side in a match noted as much for errors, accusations and controversy as it was for the almost victory of this fast developing team. Flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon and centre Marcelo Bosch provided much of the Pumas scoring power, but in a case of “the one that got away” mistakes in the final 10 minutes essentially gifted the win to a lackluster South Africa.
“We’ve got mixed feelings … We took a step forward with regard to last weekend since we radically changed our image and attitude, But we lacked something to have won the match … We needed to be a bit more disciplined with regard to the penalties,” Leguizamon told reporters.
Bosch said: “We’re left with a bit of a sour taste, feeling we could have won it, but I think the team today still can feel successful for what they gave on the pitch.”
Wing Bjorn Basson scored the visitors’ only try, with Steyn kicking the rest of their points to take them to the top of the four-nation tournament’s standings on points difference from title holders New Zealand.
The Springboks and All Blacks have nine points after two rounds, with Argentina on a single point and Australia yet to break their duck after two defeats against New Zealand.
“I’m not at all surprised by what the Pumas did, they played very well, with a lot of passion playing typical Argentine rugby,” South Africa’s coach Heyneke Meyer said.
South Africa have struggled in Argentina in the past, having been held to a 16-16 draw by Argentina in Mendoza last year. The Pumas were expected to come out swinging after their horrific loss last week. But while the home side showed more physicality and passion, South Africa were nowhere near as slick as they made numerous handling errors.
Leguizamon smashed the opening try inside four minutes as the Pumas made all the early running. Steyn and Pumas veteran captain Felipe Contepomi traded penalties after that, before the Springboks hit back to level the score at 10-10, Basson crossing the line unopposed after the visitors spread the ball wide.
Argentina continued to keep pressure up on the boks and had their second try three minutes before halftime when good play from wing Gonzalo Camacho got them close to the Springbok line and outside centre Bosch crashed over, with Contepomi adding his second conversion.
Steyn added a second penalty, but the Springboks still weren’t looking particularly inspiring.
The match had its darker points; Springbok flanker Francois Louw claiming eye-gouging, and lock Eben Etzebeth claimed he was bitten, however a lack of evidence made these claims hard to substantiate.
The Springboks, it has to be said, did not deserve this win. If anything they got out of jail only due to the Puma’s lack of discipline. This game showed definitively that the Puma’s have got the ability to be playing at this level, and that no one is invincible. The Puma’s have a couple of weeks off before heading to New Zealand to face the injury ridden All Blacks, while the Springboks travel to Brisbane to face a frankly underwhelming Wallabies side.
After watching the All Blacks game on Saturday night I wasn’t sure I’d bet on my national side to win the Rugby Championship. After this effort by the Springboks I’m really at a loss who to predict now. I will however throw this prediction out there: Argentina will defeat Australia when the Wallabies travel to visit the Pumas’ turf.
I also predict that if that happens you’ll be able to hear me laughing all the way to the bank when I clean up at the bookies!
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