South Africa edge Argentina 17-10 in Buenos Aires as Kolisi limps off injured

Match summary

South Africa edged Argentina 17-10 in a one-off test at a packed Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday, stretching their winning streak to 12 internationals. The world champions came from behind after Argentina led 10-3 for most of the first half, with the teams level at 10-10 at the break. The Springboks dominated the second half but had to wait until the 63rd minute for the decisive breakthrough from No. 8 Cameron Hanekom. The match served as preparation for South Africa ahead of their four-test series against New Zealand, starting on August 22.

Argentina, missing unavailable captain and hooker Julian Montoya and suspended fly-half Tomas Albornoz, went ahead on three minutes when playmaker Santiago Carreras slotted a penalty. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, one of several Springboks making their first appearances of the season after injuries, levelled soon after from a close-range penalty. Flanker Benjamin Grondona then received the ball after a maul, powered his way to the tryline and Carreras converted to give Argentina a 10-3 lead. That advantage held until the stroke of half-time, when wing Edwill van der Merwe showed superb pace to dart along the touchline and touch down between the posts. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted and South Africa left the field relieved to be level at 10-10.

Second-half breakthrough

South Africa's winning try came from a scrum five metres from the Argentine tryline in the 63rd minute, when Hanekom barged over. Substitute Handre Pollard converted to make it 17-10. A nervous finish for the Springboks saw Argentina force a 50-22 line-out, then a tap-and-go penalty in a 15-phase post-hooter attack. Pumas substitute wing Matias Moroni knocked on a pass with the tryline at his mercy and sobbed as the final whistle blew, sealing South Africa's narrow victory.

Kolisi injury concern

South Africa captain and flanker Siya Kolisi, returning from injury, lasted only 25 minutes before limping off. He told reporters the test turned out as he expected.

It was a tough game. A lot of our players are coming back from injuries. We did not execute well in the first half.

The Pumas are a great team and are passionate, just like us. This is why we like coming here. We are looking forward to the coming All Blacks series and this was a great preparation.

I hurt my hamstring again so I will have to go for a scan. It is really tough.

He added this with the first test against arch rivals New Zealand scheduled for August 22 in Johannesburg.

Argentina's response

Argentina had lost at home to Scotland and England in the Nations Championship before this match, but showed vast improvement against the record four-time world champions. Displaying commitment and physicality, the Pumas led 10-3 for most of the first half at the packed Estadio Jose Amalfitani. Several first-choice Argentina players were unavailable because of club commitments in Europe, alongside the absence of Montoya and suspended fly-half Albornoz.