Springboks’ blushes saved by Steyn’s trusty boot

ARGENTINA went from gold mining depths to Andean highs at an icy Stadio Malvinas yesterday as they almost produced the greatest turnaround in rugby history before falling just short of beating a ragged Springboks.

Victory lifted the Boks to top of the Rugby Championship standings after two rounds and gave them their first away win in the competition since 2009. But they will feel anything like table-toppers this morning after escaping with a win they didn’t deserve.

There was no lack of commitment and effort from South Africa, but they were simply knocked out of their stride by excellent Pumas physicality in every facet of the game.

After last week’s 73-13 win at FNB Stadium, the Boks expected a backlash, which duly came from an inspired Pumas. But even so, South Africa were poor in so many areas of the game that they allowed their desperate opponents to dictate the play for most of the match.

The Boks were outscored by two tries to one, but the boot of flyhalf

Even South Africa’s much feared rolling maul went missing yesterday

Morne Steyn, who kicked six out of six on his way to 17 points, spared the their blushes.

On the eve of the match Springbok captain Jean de Villiers warned that his team needed to make a quick start to dampen any enthusiasm from the Pumas and their vocal fans. And the exact opposite happened.

After two minutes, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar dallied at a ruck inside Pumas territory and had the ball knocked out his hand. Three phases later the home team had forced a lineout 5m from the Bok line and flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon crashed over for the opening try.

The Stadio Malvinas erupted and the Boks’ worst fears were realised. From then on it was catch-up rugby for the tourists.

The Springboks were often overpowered at the contact points and their management of high kicks was also poor. Their defence, so accurate and murderous last week, was standoffish and hesitant yesterday.

The Pumas’ second try, scored two minutes before half time by centre Marcelo Bosch, was the result of a missed tackle by tighthead Jannie du Plessis after several earlier missed tackles had created the pressure.

Even the Springboks’ feared rolling maul went missing yesterday. Their only attempt to use the ploy in the first half met with a superb counter from the Pumas and it was not seen again until later in the game.

Wing Bjorn Basson scored the Boks’ try.