South Africa come from behind to beat Argentina 34-21

by The TRU Team Saturday 18 August 2018

Nicolas Sanchez's promising start went in vain for Argentina

©PA

South Africa 34-21 Argentina, Jonsson Kings Park Stadium
Scorecard

An incredible second-half performance saw South Africa come from behind to open their Rugby Championship campaign with a 34-21 win over Argentina at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

The win is also the first victory for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship since Rassie Erasmus took charge as they continue their momentum from the June series where they defeated England 2-1.

Andre Esterhuizen, Frans Malherbe and Faf de Klerk played a pivotal role in building up the opening try for South Africa in the eighth minute that saw Lukhanyo Am crossing over for an unconverted try.

The visitors bounced back seven minutes later when Willie le Roux spilled the ball and Nicolas Sanchez recycled to score a converted try as Argentina claimed a two-point lead.

Things turned better for the Pumas with their second try coming from Pablo Matera in the 27th minute and Sanchez slotted the extras to make it 5-14 that was reduced to 10-14 after a crosskick from Le Roux found winger Aphiwe Dyantyi for his first try of the game.

The boks were quick to get off the block as a combination of Handre Pollard and Esterhuizen set up Dyantyi over the line with this time Handre Pollard managing a conversion to make it 17-14 and they further upped the ante when Makazole Mapimpi scored back to back tries in the 49th and 52nd minutes.

As the final 10 minutes was approaching, Damian Willemse's wayward kick was intercepted by Matias Moroni as he reduced the margin to 27-21 with a 67th minute try but three minutes later de Klerk touched down to ensure Erasmus' men completed a 34-21 victory.