Boks grind out victory but fail to hit bonus
JACQUES Nienaber insisted the decisive opening win over the Pumas fully justified his decision to make sweeping changes for the start of their Rugby Championship title defence.
The Springboks coach was all smiles as his risky selection strategy paid off courtesy of first-half tries from Cobus Reinach and Aphelele Fassi, and a late third try from Jaden Henrikse – but they failed to secure the bonus point.
Just five of the starters from that final Test with the Lions last week began the contest with Argentina but the rebuilt side easily overcame the threat of the visitors who failed to cope with their hosts’ power.
Once more it was the Springboks pack which laid down the foundation for success with their Puma counterparts unable to match them.
Nienaber, who said the changes were to help protect his players' welfare, enthused: “Some people questioned the look of the team because of the changes but it was not disrespectful to Argentina at all. They were necessary changes and you cannot complain about the display and result can you?
“I’m extremely proud of all the new guys who came
in. They played their hearts out for the side and for their country. It shows the tremendous strength in depth we have in South African rugby, when we can put out such a
different side to the one which finished off against the Lions.
“We wanted to make a strong start to the Championship and I am delighted with the character and commitment of all the guys.”
The Springboks pack had less trouble putting out the fire of the Pumas than they did the Lions as they began their title defence well. It allowed the hosts to control the game from start to finish and Argentina quickly lost their discipline, even if they refused to go down meekly at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Argentina stunned the All Blacks 35-25 in Sydney nine months ago and enjoyed victories over Wales and Romania last month. But they were second best by a long way in Port Elizabeth.
From the moment Elton Jantjies, the starting flyhalf, sent over a penalty after just two minutes, to when replacement Hendrikse scored in the 78th minute, South Africa never looked in danger of a post-Lions hangover.
Once again it was hardly a running rugby extravaganza with South Africa doing what they do best in bossing the physical war and Argentina running into a thick green wall then they tried to open up.
Former Northampton man Reinach produced one moment to remember with a 60m interception try after the Pumas overplayed and gifted him the ball.
Nicolas Sanchez’s boot kept the scoreboard going for the visitors who trailed 21-9 at the break after Bok wing Aphelele Fassi grasped one handed onto an Elton Jantjies crossfield kick before switching it to the other and racing across.
Jantjies, who kicked 17 points, kept punishing the Pumas every time they sinned – which was regularly in both halves. The second-half developed into a stalemate kicking match with Argentina failing to find a way to break the hosts’ stranglehold.
Another Jantjies penalty gave South Africa breathing space with a 15 point lead and the Pumas held out well defensively thereafter – though rarely threatening themselves – until the final minute.
A final Springboks attack finished with youngster Hendrikse acrobatically diving over in the right hand corner for his first Test try.