Boks win, but they will see several areas to improve on
Returning Etzebeth kicks open the door for Faf de Klerk
at Kings Park
● The Springboks got their Rugby Championship campaign off the ground but failed to soar against a typically belligerent, and at times, bellicose Los Pumas yesterday.
The Boks got the job done thanks to six tries but will look back at this match seeing several areas in which they can tighten up.
They rarely fired as a collective but there were some stand-out performances.
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk again underlined his value to the Bok cause with another livewire performance. Two of his incisive plays created tries in the second half which gave the Boks a buffer they held until the end.
His pinpoint box kicks, the speed with which he clears the ruck, and his intuitive link play all contributed to a compelling performance. The Boks will miss him when he returns to his club Sale Sharks.
For De Klerk to weave his magic, however, the door has to be kicked open and no one did this more than lock Eben Etzebeth. Questions were raised about his match fitness in the build-up to this clash.
The last time he played was in December last year when he injured his shoulder against Wales at the Principality Stadium. He gave an unequivocal answer with a towering performance in the second row. Etzebeth hit the deck running and invariably dragged an Argentinian or two along. He was also a colossus in the line outs.
Tries either side of the break by Aphiwe Dyantyi helped reel in the Pumas who ran into a 14-5 lead by the 27th minute. He even passed up the opportunity to complete a hattrick when he unselfishly offloaded to Makazole Mapimpi to score in the 54th minute.
Earlier, after unrelenting pressure, centre Lukhanyo Am sped onto a pass and barged over through sheer determination.
The Boks, however, struggled to assert themselves in the first half. The Pumas’ rush defence meant the Boks had little time on the ball, making for hurried, imprecise passing.
In the first half their game lacked continuity as Argentina disrupted the breakdown. Flank Pablo Matera was a handful, but to be fair the visitors were resolute in holding their defensive line.
It didn’t help either that the Boks relinquished positions of promise, like the lost line out 5m out in the 23rd minute.
Handre Pollard ... missed three attempts at goal in the first half
The hosts also played with indecent haste, looking for maximum gain when bitesized options looked more prudent. They eschewed opportunities at goal but Handre Pollard’s kicking hardly instilled confidence. He missed three attempts in the first half.
Opposite him, the unflappable Nicolás Sanchez looked composed and incisive. He teased the Bok defence with a variety of options and it was just reward when he scored the tourists’ first try in the 16th minute.