In a thrilling one-off Test held in Buenos Aires on Saturday, the world champions South Africa narrowly defeated Argentina 17-10, surviving a gripping 15-phase attack after the final whistle. This victory marks South Africa’s 12th consecutive win in international matches.
Event Context
Pumas substitute wing Matias Moroni was visibly emotional as the match ended, having narrowly failed to score with the tryline in sight after mishandling a pass.
Argentina, struggling with recent performances after home losses to Scotland and England in the Nations Championship, demonstrated significant improvement against the formidable four-time world champions.
The Springboks controlled much of the second half, but it wasn’t until the 63rd minute that they made a crucial breakthrough through talented No. 8 Cameron Hanekom.
South Africa secured a scrum just five metres from the Argentine tryline, and Hanekom powered through for a try, which was converted by Handre Pollard.
In a tense finish, Argentina created a 50-22 line-out and attempted a tap-and-go penalty, which ended in disappointment for Moroni.
Despite missing key players like captain and hooker Julian Montoya, as well as suspended fly-half Tomas Albornoz, Argentina took the lead early in the match when playmaker Santiago Carreras successfully kicked a penalty just three minutes in.
Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, one of several Springboks returning from injury for the season, quickly equalized with a penalty from close range.
Carreras later hit the post with a second-half penalty attempt, and Andre Esterhuizen was held up just short of the tryline before Hanekom’s decisive score.
Player Focus
Flanker Benjamin Grondona received the ball following a maul, surged towards the tryline, and Carreras successfully converted the effort. Just before halftime, world champions South Africa equalized when wing Edwill van der Merwe displayed incredible speed, racing down the touchline to score under the posts. Feinberg-Mngomezulu made the conversion, allowing South Africa to regroup at the break feeling fortunate to be tied after a lackluster performance in the first half.
Team Analysis
In a fiercely contested match at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, the teams showcased their determination and physical gameplay. For the majority of the first half, they held a lead of 10-3, ultimately finishing the half tied at 10 points each. Both teams are preparing for upcoming home series set to begin this month, with South Africa scheduled to play four Test matches against New Zealand, while Argentina faces Australia in two Tests.
