Springboks vs Pumas: The Rugby Championship live scores, blog

Harry you wrote earlier on stats that matter and it was about Vermeulen.Imagine how good Vermeulen will be if the coach teaches him to offload in the tackle but we are all starry eyed he is not Tarzan he is a Viking.In a team context and in the modern game it is about possession and putting your players in space.The forwards must at least do the basics that is scrum and we have to take our line outs.The last thing is in the modern game the lock must clear rucks and maulls so for me Salta is a problem.Remember HM does not want to lose and you can t teach an old fox new tricks.Matfield if he is not injured will have to play i will play Pollard at 10 Bakkies to start i do not know about Smith but if the team does not fire we have a problem.When one is critical it is no levelled at players but always at a team.The coach has to take the blame for playing and repeating the same mistakes.Oz tuned the corner why can t we.

BB the frustrating part about Springbok rugby is we keep on repeating the same mistakes with the same players.HM must know by now that Pienaar is not the answer at scrumhalf Steyn not the answer for expansive rugby.We will get more ball in Salta but what are we going to do with more possession.

They managed to do that in the last ten minutes and it came very close to getting them points (and, perhaps, even drawing the game).

The draw in Sydney effectively has the same effect for SA as a bonus point.

Pienaar was pretty decent on the day. He managed to extract himself (and the ball) from some very pressurised positions off mauls and scrums moving backwards. I disagree with some of the commenters here: his kicking was not that bad...sure, he sent a couple too far and too low, but there also seemed to be a lack of gas in the follow-up (from our speedsters) off many of his kicks. Sanchez, Lobbe, Flo, and Pienaar were my man of the match candidates...in that order (with Vermeulen up next).

stream of consciousness

Agreed. It was great to watch the Argentines. And that flyhalf was very impressive (particularly given the conditions).

Harry, you are right; it is going to be a true test for the both of them. I have to say though, I am getting less and less enamoured with JdV's captaincy. He was terribly quiet during the game, just when some active leadership could have made a big difference. And then there was that utterly silly decision not to take the penalty in the last five (?) minutes with just a seven point lead; instead, kicking for the line and then predictably being bossed at the lineout and counter-mauled into touch. Brainless decision, which is becoming habitual now. JdV has a lot to prove, and he must do it very soon.

O diep rivier, O donker stroom.........come on old Fanie, the weather was shi'ite - but it goes to show, never underestimate the Pumas. Just love the Argies, who never give up. Always remind me a bit of the French, great to watch. But I don't think you need to be so negative about the boys, they just haven't gelled yet as a team. Give em a couple of weeks.

We know We know We know..... :(

Great to see Argies wont be no easy beats. Congratulations Argentina I hear you were a bit unlucky just need to work on finishing.

Argentina always flood the breakdown, and SA should know how to play wet weather rugby - the pack have been on a number of European tours, and Botha, Louw, Pienarr, Morne Steyn, Habana & JDV have all played/play in Europe.

Flo: [from Planet Rugby] The Bath loose-forward was named Man-of-the-Match for his efforts at a rain-drenched Loftus Versfeld, but he was also the first to admit that his team failed at adapting to the conditions they were experienced in the South African capital as they banked a 13-6 victory. Asked where the Boks need to up their game as they build towards their goal of winning the World Cup in England next year, Louw said that their on-field decision making would have to improve: "I think it is that immediate mind shift and that adaptation to the conditions (is something we need to work on). The gameplan is slightly different when it is wet - we needed to tightening up and play a bit more of a kicking game, so it is that mindset change and the execution that really makes a difference in the end. At times we did that, but we could have been a bit sharper and is something we need to work on."

I tend to look at the SMH team of the week, bc I feel like it's sort of objective (from a SA perspective, at least). They picked only 4 Boks: le Roux, Hendricks (?), Vermeulen, and Louw (but called him Coetzee). That's about right. Two Argie props; and they are going to test OZ/NZ, lads....

I said “beer” and these boys interpreted that to be Erdinger. Great guys…it was fun to get their perspective. For them, losing by 7 was like a huge win. We all moaning... Ja, as you say, it’s hard to read Meyer’s mind, but I think his post-match support of Pollard (phew!) and Lood (both struggled in the decisions under pressure) and maybe the Whiteley call up (not that he’ll play) is a good indicator that he wants to give young guys time to develop prior to the WC. Very tough day at the office. Rain is a great equaliser. De Allende looks okay. Think he'll be fine if he gets an extended trial. JdV rusty as expected. My biggest gripe is we lost the arm wrestle and only survived bc of the loosies, 9, and fullback. Our Shark front row isn't the force we think it is... Tired. Moving like on autopilot. But a caveat: this ARG pack is no joke. I can see OZ having serious problems w ARG. Last year, NZ never got a bonus point vs ARG, and i think ARG is highly motivated. The guys I watched it with were maniac fans. Interesting to read how Tom Watson is getting his team ready for the Ryder Cup by getting them to WANT bad weather…feel cheated if the UK gives you good weather. Boks need to develop that mindset; or the QF will end up in 2015 just like 2011, maybe.

I said "beer" and these boys interpreted that to be Erdinger. :) Great guys...it was fun to get their perspective. For them, losing by 7 was like a huge win. Ja, as you say, it's hard to read Meyer's mind, but I think his post-match support of Pollard (phew!) and Lood (both struggled in the decisions under pressure) and maybe the Whiteley call up (not that he'll play) is a good indicator that he wants to give young guys time to develop prior to the WC. Very tough day at the office. Rain is a great equaliser. Interesting to read how Tom Watson is getting his team ready for the Ryder Cup by getting them to WANT bad weather...feel cheated if the UK gives you good weather. Boks need to develop that mindset; or the QF will end up in 2015 just like 2011, maybe.

Those Erdingers can't be so cheap, eh? Yes, I agree we know how to win ugly, and if that is required on a day like yesterday, I am fine with that, but hell, decision making and execution should be better.

Fanie, who you picking in Salta? As much as I love 9-try cakewalks, I actually like these situations (narrow squeaky bum wins in horrible weather) better than the 73-13 pastings. I think you learn more about the players. Who embraces the actual situation, the English-style weather/field, the adversity, the Argie-Bargie Top 14 brawl. Also, does our coach have fine tactical awareness? Or only strategic blunt force? Some of the guys who did themselves credit were foul weather vets Louw, Vermeulen, le Roux (Boland boy, right? This is a nice day in Wellington), and the Ulsterman (yes, yes, yes, I know he is pedantic at the base, but he also just won a test match for us).

My reaction during each 10 minute chukka was: Yes!!!! Pienaar you beauty! Hmm... I dunno about this field. Damn! That's scary. Jeez! Play like it's wet!!!!!! Thank you, ref. I'm worried. I'm scared...phew.

Of course there are cultural ways to scrum, make love, make bread, institute law, cure meat, fight...