South Africa have managed to grind out victory in a “proper Test match”, edging Argentina 22-21 in their final Rugby Championship fixture at Ellis Park as coach Jacques Nienaber hailed their defence and composure under pressure.
The trophy had already been won by New Zealand earlier on Saturday following a 38-7 victory over Australia in Melbourne, but the Springboks’ success earns them second place and answers more selection questions ahead of the World Cup in France.
“We expected a proper Test match, if you look at what Argentina have done in the last few seasons with wins in New Zealand and Australia. We knew it was going to be a grind,” Nienaber told reporters.
“The positive is that the guys kept their cool at the back end and got the win.”
The Boks kept Argentina at bay for 75 minutes until the visitors, who dominated possession, scored two late tries.
It was that defensive effort that most pleased Nienaber after the side had been below par in the opening stages of their loss to New Zealand in Auckland a fortnight ago.
“We had a proper defence session today,” Nienaber said. “I thought our defence was quite poor in the first 17 minutes against New Zealand but there was a massive improvement.”
It is unusual for a visiting team to come to Ellis Park and have almost 60 per cent possession, as well as dominate territory, and Nienaber praised Argentina for a game plan well executed.
“They didn’t play with the ball a lot. They kicked it and pinned us in our half. I think we could have got out of our half a little bit better, but they suffocated us there and that led to penalties.”
Captain Duane Vermeulen said after the game it was his final home fixture in a Bok jersey as the No.8 is set to retire from international rugby after the World Cup in September and October.
Nienaber had special praise for a player he has worked with for close to two decades.
Manie Libbok of South Africa with possession. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
“Whenever you ask him to put his shoulder on the line, his head in a dark place and to go through the gutters, he has never been a guy to shy away,” Nienaber said.
“He is also a fantastic leader, we saw that today as he kept the guys nice and cool and calm at the end.”
Argentina had trailed the world champions 15-9 at halftime but controlled the entire second half and threatened to follow up their victory in Australia two weeks ago with a first win on the Highveld in South Africa.
The crucial moment came when South Africa flyhalf Manie Libbok scored a breakaway try in the 69th minute after Argentina threw a loose pass while on the attack deep in Springboks territory.
Scrum-half Faf de Klerk scooped up the ball and fed Libbok, who motored 80 metres to give South Africa enough of a cushion at 22-9 — but only just.
Argentina still scored the last two tries at Ellis Park, although they only came in the dying minutes through Mateo Carreras and replacement scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou despite all the Pumas’ dominance in the second 40.
© AAP
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