Match Centre: South Africa 22-21 Argentina

South Africa 22-21 Argentina, Ellis Park

South Africa managed to overcome a late surge from Argentina as they edged them out with a one-point victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Despite the win, the All Blacks went on to win the Rugby Championship title following their win over the Wallabies with the Springboks finishing second followed by the Pumas.

South Africa suffered early setback as Juan Cruz Mallía charged into Grant Williams, who had to leave the field with a head injury and was replaced by Faf de Klerk.

Santiago Carreras started the proceedings with a third minute penalty goal after South Africa infringed at offside and the fly-half doubled their lead by the 10th minute as Kurt-Lee Arendse was penalised for not rolling away before Manie Libbok kicked a three-pointer of his own right in front to make it 3-6.

As the opening quarter was about to end, the Springboks extended their lead as Eben Etzebeth on the blindside went past Argentina winger Juan Imhoff to dot down. Libbok missed out on the extras but ensured he improved their second try that came in the 26th minute as Damien de Allende touched down following a line out and Libbok kicked the conversion to make it 15-6.

Argentina reduced the arrears before the break with Carreras kicking a third penalty goal as the teams completed the opening half with a 15-9 scoreline.

Both the teams were desperate for an early advantage in the second half but a stern defence from Argentina ensured the gap continued to remain at six points until the 69th minute when Libbok scored a converted try to make it 22-9.

With five minutes left in the game, the Pumas clawed their way back with Mateo Carreras dotting down but Carreras missed out on a crucial conversion. Just as the game heading for a close finish, Gonzalo Bertranou scored from the side of a ruck and Carreras slotted the extras as Michael Cheika's men succumbed to a one-point victory.

Team line up:

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff

Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Faf de Klerk, Lukhanyo Am, Damian Willemse.

Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Mateo Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Imhoff, Santiago Carreras, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Lucas Paulos, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo

Reserves: Augustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Eduardo Bello, Lucas Paulos, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni.