Argentina v Springboks: Winners and losers as scrum hits ‘frightening’ levels while Los Pumas bench ‘stem the tide’
Eben Etzebeth (right) and the Springboks scrum were at their very best, but Los Pumas bench also impressed
Following the Springboks’ win over Los Pumas at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, here are our winners and losers from the Rugby Championship finale.
Winners
Santi Chocobares
A lot of the good parts of Argentina’s play had his fingerprints on them. Be it with a bulldozing carry in midfield, a big tackle, or even distributing, he played a part in their early dominance and late resurgence, too.
He was also given more freedom to change between 12 and 13, which also saw him shine.
Los Pumas bench
When Malcolm Marx powered over for his score in the second-half, things could easily have blown out of proportion for Los Pumas, but their bench made their mark. They helped stem the tide just as South Africa gained real momentum, crucially halting the scum and even winning their own penalties in the process. Around that, they upped the intensity in defence and forced the Boks into some needless mistakes, again turning the tide.
It proved too little too late in the end, but they certainly gave the Boks a taste of their own medicine.
Cobus Reinach
A dazzling display from the scrum-half, who was deservedly named Man of the Match for his efforts today. His brace went a long way in securing the Boks’ second successive title, but around that, his work was crucial in his side getting on the front-foot after a slow start.
The way he toyed with the tempo around the ruck just helped unlock the previously stubborn Pumas defence, allowing the likes of Wiese et al to power through in the tight exchanges and then giving the backline that freedom to play.
He’s still got a real fight on his hands to start, given the strength behind him, but he’s starting to make this shirt his own now.
Springboks front-row
The Springboks might be going down a new avenue with ‘Tony-ball’, but the scrum has been the cornerstone of their game for what seems like eternity, and it was at its frightening best today.
The unit of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit ruthlessly tore through their Argentinian counterparts, sending them backwards as if they were scrummaging on a treadmill.
The replacement grouping of Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw came on and simply carried that trend on too.
South Africa really are spoiled for choice in this department, and all six men have done their November chances the world of good today.
Jasper Wiese
Number eight was a problem area during his ban, but this was yet another reminder of why it was such a headache. He always seemed to break through the gainline every time he touched the ball, and backed those efforts up with some good bits of defence too.
There are still some questions over who is the second-choice eight for the Boks, but the man at the top of the depth chart is again doing the business.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Continues to excel in this new-look Boks attack under Tony Brown, and while it might not have been the near-perfect performance of a week ago, he was still very classy. Things do seem to happen around him, but he also finds the right moment to make the most of it with a deft pass, kick or even a carry. His marshalling of the squad was also a big part of their second-half comeback.
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There really is a lot to like about the way he is improving at Test level.
Losers
Canan Moodie
For the most part, he was actually pretty tidy, but his yellow card was pretty expensive, and on a different day, he could have been shown a second. During his time on the naughty step, Argentina notched their opening score and gained precious momentum to lead at half-time.
Mayco Vivas
Tough day all round for the loosehead. Found himself shunted backwards at scrum-time, and copped a yellow card in the second-half. That 10-minute period also cost his side dearly, with the Boks going over for two tries in his absence and eventually running away with the win.
Coria Francisco
Like his front-row colleague, he had a rough day out in South West London. Came off second-best in his scrum battle against Ox Nche, and was later taken off early in the second-half with what looked like a knee injury.