Got the third: Bryan Habana
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Argentina were welcomed into the Rugby Championship with a 27-6 hiding at the hands of the Springboks at Newlands on Saturday.
The Pumas arrived in Cape Town with high hopes of an historic upset but never looked like troubling the South Africans, who led from start to finish.
The men in green and gold scored three well-worked tries while Argentina could only reply with two penalties.
Defeat for the Boks would have spelt a drop to sixth place in the IRB rankings but it was clear from early on that was never going to happen. Heyneke Meyer's team showed great composure and patience, taking their opportunities when they were presented and pressurising the Argentineans into errors which translated into a 20-6 lead at the break.
A single try in the second half was enough to seal the win for South Africa but they will be disappointed not to have secured a bonus point given the one-sided nature of the clash.
The miserable weather that had belted Cape Town all week finally packed it's bags for pastures further north and glorious sunshine greeted the players and the Newlands faithful. But the perfect conditions didn't encourage either side to play adventurous rugby. Argentina were, however, given a lesson on how to effectively employ a forwards-orientated approach.
The Pumas' game-plan was clear to see from the outset as they looked to give the Springboks a taste of their own medicine with a plethora of bombs from the boot of Juan Martín Hernández. But the kicks weren't quite accurate enough and the chase was lacking fire, meaning the home side's back three were seldom seriously troubled.
It took just five minutes for Morne Steyn to get the Boks on the board with a penalty but the opening score coincided with a massive blow for the hosts, who saw Bismarck du Plessis leave the field with a knee injury.
Hernández levelled the scores on the 15-minute mark but when Lucas Amorosino spilt an easy pass just in front of his own try-line, the Pumas looked in trouble.
True enough, three phases after the scrum Zane Kirchner was over in the corner. Steyn added the extras to give the Boks a 10-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Steyn added another penalty before Marcell Coetzee broke off the back of a rolling maul to stretch out an arm and thereby extend the hosts' lead. The conversion took the scores to 20-3 after half-an-hour and the writing was on the wall for the visitors.
Hernández landed a penalty just before half time and missed two more after the break but it would be the Boks who scored next. Bryan Habana plucked Steyn's cross-field kick out of the sky (and Horacio Agulla's hands) for an all-too-easy try.
Credit must be given to the Pumas for holding on and not handing over a bonus-point try but their attack was woefully inadequate. Next week's rematch in Mendoza should provide them with an opportunity to give the Boks a run for their money.
Man of the Match: Schalk who? South Africa has a new star openside and his name is Marcell Coetzee. Another fantastic display from the Sharks youngster bodes well for the future. A try was just reward.
Moment of the Match: From the moment Zane Kirchner scored the Boks' first try the result never looked in doubt.
Villain of the Match: Whoever decided that drum majorettes qualify as pre-game entertainment. It's not 1981, man.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Kirchner, Coetzee, Habana
Con: M Steyn 3
Pen: M Steyn 2
For Argentina:
Pen: Hernandez 2
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.
Argentina: 15 Lucas González Amorosino, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernández, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Nicolás Vergallo, 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c), 7 Álvaro Galindo, 6 Julio Farías Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guiñazú, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Bruno Postiglioni, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Tomás Leonardi, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Martín Rodríguez.
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces (France), John Lacey (Ireland)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
By Ross Hastie at Newlands
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
SA shoot off to a comfortable 20 pt lead, playing conservative but dominant rugby. they score their third try with about 30 mins to go... and none of the players on the pitch can grasp the inportance of that fourth try! It's 27pts to 6 South Africa! Grow a pair (!!!) and go for the kill!!!!
Funniest / most cringe-worthy moment of the game? Steve Walsh talking to Fernández Lobbe as if the Puma veteran hadn't played rugby before in his entire life and was "unaware" that he and his teammates were killing the ball at every oportunity. "Oops, Sorry ref, so we're not allowed to lay over the ball like that? I didn't know as we've never played rugby with giants like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand before..."
Only in rugby union... It was so farsical. these guys play for Toulouse, the biggest, richest rugby club on the entire PLANET!!!! of course they know the rules Steve!!!! Steve Walsh was so condescending and arrogant toward the Argentine while Lobbe was cynicism personified just humouring the stuck up supersillious superior -acting Walsh and getting away scot free! NEWS FLASH JUST IN: Argentina have played rugby before, just not tri-nations rugby, this however doesn't mean they don't understand the rules of the game. Next week, please can we have a referee who isn't rugby's answer to the stereotypical washed up arrogant hollier-than-thou british army officer based in India during the 1800's???
Posted 15:17 20th August 2012
jontheref says...
Walsh was too lenient.
This is test rugby, not some friendly.
He was very forgiving, and explained in a very long winded way.
But in the last 15, the cards should have come out.
I was surprised when he nearly lost his cool, as he had obviously had enough of their captain and 8, Lobbe.
Argentina played him, and it will only get worse when they are at home!
Posted 11:25 20th August 2012
DarkestHorse says...
I agree Walsh was lenient but I think rightly so. The Pumas played down the enormity of the occasion but they were over zealous and always had the finger on the trigger, early scrum engages etc. When you begin a new job, you are afforded a little operational leeway due to "first day jitters". That's what we saw here and Walsh played a good role.
Posted 09:09 20th August 2012
kiwilad says...
FISH, when the planet you arrived from is tracked, will you please return...
Posted 08:23 20th August 2012
The_Claw says...
Great attitude and some real positives to the Pumas' play (I thought their maul and their maul defence were both quite good), but I honestly can't see them scoring many tries against any of S.A, Aust. or NZ. They just don't seem to have the creativity or penetration to trouble three of the best-drilled defensive screens in the world.
Posted 04:13 20th August 2012
flyman says...
It was great to see the Pumas playing the Boks, best thing thats happened to the "Tri-Nations" comptetition. Argentina will improve with every game and the Boks & Wallabies may just lose a match or two when playing in the Pumas backyard. Neither side played good rugby though, too many basic errors. I suspect that the Pumas will earn a few yellow cards over this tournament, Walsh was a little lenient in this game.
Posted 01:00 20th August 2012
Dafydd29 says...
Its hard to play against 16 - Walsh, as usual, was pathetic.
Posted 21:13 19th August 2012
DarkestHorse says...
That was of course directed at makemehappy.
Posted 16:04 19th August 2012
DarkestHorse says...
The most ridiculous opinion on this thread so far and I include FISH in that. The emergence of Argentina and their acceptance into a mainstream competition is the most progressive decision in the history of the game. Argentina are a breath of fresh air to a frightfully boring competition in which quantity has always been more important than quality. Wait for the Pumas' home games against SA and Aus, one or both of which they will win, before you make a judgement. Bookies offering 1/2 on the Pumas to get at least one win says it all.
Please do not underestimate the inherent idiocy of your post.
Posted 16:01 19th August 2012
carpelone says...
I did not expect a bonus point at the beginning, but not getting it with three tries bagged and more than 20 minutes to go is disappointing and show all the disadvantages of a forward based game plan. We need to secure the other two games at home, to win in Mendoza and to win one more on the go. This shoud suffice.
Posted 15:46 19th August 2012
makemehappy says...
A real shame to see Argentina being allowed into the competion well passed their best. 7-8 years ago they might have been worthy of a place, now they are just a bit of a joke. The only thing they excel at is illegal tactics at the breakdown, usually worth around4-5 yellow cards per game.
Posted 11:23 19th August 2012
hayj05 says...
It was great to finally see Argentina in there, obviously they were pretty ordinary but they certainly didn't embarrass themselves. Can't forget that this is just the start of their journey & they'll gradually improve from here.
Will be much more interesting next week when it's in Argentina, I'm sure SA will be met with a lot more resistance & just the whole experience & seeing the Argentine fans going nuts will be spectacular.
Posted 08:06 19th August 2012
rugbyphile says...
How did Bismarck get injured? A tackle when he hadn't ever had the ball and the ball was miles away---reaction by that excuse for a ref Walsh?--and the other officials? Zero. Even if a try is scored obvious foul play should result at least in a talking to if not a card. Walsh correctly penalised Alberts for a high tackle but ignored about 4 obvious high tackles by the Argies--get rid of him.
If SA play like that against All Blacks they will lose by 20 at least--NZ were cruising against he Wallabies ---
Posted 07:25 19th August 2012
Wallaroo says...
Title should have read "Both teams learn some lessons", the Argies certainly taught the Boks that to get a bonus point try you need to hold onto the ball.
Well done Boks on your victory and well done Argentina for not allowing the Saffas a bonus point try.
Having the Argies in the comp has been a long time coming and I feel that over the course of this year they are going to improve immensely' or at least I hope so.
FISH = Foolish, Ignorant, Stupid & Hostile. Mate you are seriously out of your depth here.
Posted 02:59 19th August 2012
Trader2 says...
Good to see Fish is happy!!
Posted 02:44 19th August 2012
ManWarrior says...
I must say, we did all the good work but I felt we let ourselves down. NZ would have put 50 points against them in a similar game. It almost seems that the modern day Springboks (tand this has been a long time sentiment) are scared to or unable to rip the guts our of the opposition once they have them pinned...anyways, three tries and a win is a half decent start. Go Bokke!
Posted 21:47 18th August 2012
kooper says...
The Boks could've played better probably, but I'd just like to say how awesome it is to finally have Argentina in the mix. I'd have actually liked to see them score at least a consolation try, just to get their Rugby Championship start off with some gusto. That probably sounds bad coming from a Bok supporter, but whatever.
The Argies didn't embarrass themselves I'd say. Actually surprised to have seen familiar names in their squad that I'm sure I've seen back in 2000.
Anyways, on with the tournament!
Posted 20:20 18th August 2012
ollieosprey says...
Pretty dull game... Argentina were awful in my opinion... their indiscipline was so frustrating, obvious offenses at the rucks! people can complain about the referees being 'whistle happy' but i thought it was like Argentina had never been taught the rules! thought the Boks were ok, physically good and fairly clinical but could be better, i expect them to raise their game against New Zealand and Australia
Posted 19:37 18th August 2012
FISH says...
bok rugby is dead, nowhere but down from here
Posted 19:00 18th August 2012
donguiyo says...
Actually, the title should read, the Pumas teach themselves a lesson because 20 of the 27 points scored by the boks came from unforced Pumas' errors. But, this is the start of a long road for the brave Pumas who improved a lot in the 2nd half in terms of penalties conceded and possesion.
Posted 18:15 18th August 2012