Boks lose in Argentina for first time

SOUTH Africa’s decline to a mid-table Test team moved closer as the Boks slumped to their first-ever defeat in Argentina when they lost 26-24 to the Pumas in Salta on Saturday.

This comes less than a year after losing to Japan, and two months after losing a home Test to Ireland for the first time.

The Pumas were superior over the two matches the sides contested during the past fortnight and deservedly won on home soil on Saturday, a week after they somehow gave up a 10 point lead in the final nine minutes in Nelspruit.

Losing 30-23 at the Mbombela Stadium eight days ago galvanised Argentina and they never looked like losing in Salta, even after the Boks edged into a one point lead with six minutes to go.

Morné Steyn’s successful 74th minute penalty raised prospects of the Boks escaping for a second week in a row – and if we’re brutally honest – for a fourth time this season. South Africa has won three out of five games this year.

With Handré Pollard and Pat Lambie injured, coach Allister Coetzee’s flyhalf options are limited in the crucial position, while injured eighthman Duane Vermeulen’s leadership is also missed. The current backline is inexperienced with JP Pietersen and Willie Le Roux both oddly viewed as surplus to requirements by Coetzee.

Argentina: Tries: Joaquin Tuculet‚ Juan Manuel Leguizamon. Conversions: Nicolas Sanchez‚ Juan Martin Hernandez. Penalties: Sanchez (2)‚ Hernandez‚ Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias.

SA: Tries: Bryan Habana‚ Pieter-Steph du Toit. Conversion: Johan Goosen. Penalties: Elton Jantjies (2)‚ Morné Steyn (2). — TMG Digital/TMG Sport