Sub-strength Wales ease past static Argentina

South African captain admits to nerves before holding off England

Wales got their short South American tour off to the perfect start on Saturday when their understrength side easily beat a lacklustre Argentina team 23-10.

The win in San Juan was Wales’s 12th triumph in 17 encounters with the Argentines and their fourth win in a row following victories over South Africa, France and Italy.

It also prevented a southern hemisphere clean sweep on the first day of the June internationals.

New Zealand recovered from a first-half deficit to overwhelm France, Australia ended Ireland’s winning run and South Africa produced a remarkable comeback to hand England a fourth straight defeat. Japan beat Italy in the day’s other tier one clash.

New South Africa captain Siya Kolisi admitted to being a bag of nerves when the Springboks were blown away by a rampant England in the early stages of Saturday’s first Test at Ellis Park but praised his charges for rallying to win a pulsating encounter. “I was very nervous as we didn’t expect to have such a tough time early in the game, but we have guys who had been in situations like that before,” he said after his side had prevailed 42-39.