Late tries allows Springboks defeat Argentina 30-23

South Africa 30-23 Argentina, Mbombela Stadium
Scorecard

Springboks scored two tries in the last 10 minutes as they defeated Argentina 30-23 in their Rugby Championship encounter at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

The sixth minute of the game saw Elton Jantjies going past a couple of Pumas defenders while Johan Goosen allowed winger Ruan Combrinck to score the opening try. Jantjies and his counterpart Nicolas Sanchez traded penalties as by the 23rd minute, South Africa managed a slender lead of 10-6 before centre Matias Orlando took the Pumas in the lead of 10-13 with a decisive try at the end of the first half.

Just like how the Springboks failed to capitalise on the yellow card of Manuel Montero in the first half, the Pumas had a golden opportunity in the second half when Bryan Habana was sin-binned but they failed to make use of it.

A late 67th minute try from Santiago Cordero ensured Argentina a lead of 13-23 and they looked favourites to win the game. However, Goosen's 70th minute strike along with Warren Whiteley's 78th minute try allowed the Boks to produce a stunning turnaround and register a 30-23 victory in the game.

Springboks coach Allister Coetzee lauded the team's ability to fightback from a position of 13-23 down to 30-23 at the end.

“That is something you can’t coach; the players really showed character and guts and we realise next week in Salta is going to be even tougher,” said Coetzee.