Sluggish second-half costs Argentina against South Africa

The match had a different look; Argentina and South Africa both played in alternate uniforms. It was a different game to the 22-21 Springboks win in Johannesburg seven days earlier. It did not reach the same level of brutal. It notably is the final match before both countries have their 33-man rosters confirmed for the World Cup. Argentina’s will be announced on Monday at midday in Buenos Aires.

An early set-back saw Matías Moroni on in the second minute. He replaced Santiago Chocobares who was knocked-out upon tackling Manie Libbok following a high ball. Late in the half Guido Petti was also on early with Pedro Rubiolo also unable to return after a knock.

South Africa spun the ball wide from the scrum with Canan Moodie breaking down the right. 16 phases of attack followed with Argentina holding-on. Libbok line-up in a penalty but it was wide.

Libbok made amends ten minutes later to open the scoring. He landed from a slightly closer position. It was the only score of the opening quarter; a period of play with Argentina missing tackles and committing handling errors.

Los Pumas started the second quarter well. Three consecutive penalties saw them camped on the Springboks’ try-line. Scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou took a quick tap to score. Emiliano Boffelli converted for a 7-3 lead. The try was Bertranou’s 5th under Michael Cheika in 15 test matches. Under prior coaches Bertranou scored 1 try in 38 tests.

The match swung again with South Africa winning penalties and, with it, field position. The Springboks went over after breaking off a maul only Former Ireland player Jean Kleyn was held-up.

Argentina also missed out on a try scoring opportunity. The frustrations saw pushing from Cobus Reinach on Boffelli and vice versa. Argentina won a penalty and attacked. It resulted in a double penalty with Andre Esterhuizen and Franco Mostert both tackling a player without the ball. Mostert was yellow carded. Boffelli kicked for a 10-3 lead.

South Africa were the far better team in the second-half. Fullback Damiam Willemse provided a pass for a try assist for Makazole Mapimpi. Libbok found his accuracy to land hi most difficult kick of the match. The scores were level after 3 minutes of the second half.

Libbok then stamped his authority on the game. A cross-kick for Canan Moodie saw the winger past Martín Bogado to score. South Africa had reclaimed the lead with two tries while still playing with 14-men. 

Two half breaks from Argentina put them in good field position. Pablo Matera won the first and with it a penalty. Lucio Cinti made the second and Argentina were within range. A penalty came and Boffelli made no mistake. Libbok was unable to land one shortly thereafter in response. He found his target for two penalties to make it 24-13 with 13 minutes remaining.

South Africa’s aerial game proved a decisive weapon. The breakdown and scrum also advantaged the visitors. Libbok landed another. It was the end of scoring. Argentina was unable to fight-back as South Africa were the better team. Former Pumas captain Agustín Creevy came on to become the first Puma to reach 100 caps.

The match was the second of two scheduled fixtures between Argentina and South Africa in 2023. They may meet again. Both are contenders to win their pools at the World Cup. Could they play each other in the later stages of the tournament?

SCORING

ARGENTINA (13)
Try – G Bertranou (22’)
Con – E Boffelli 2/2 (23’ 51’) 
Pen – E Boffelli 1/1 (37’)

SOUTH AFRICA (24)
Try – M Mapimpi (42’), C Moodie (46’)
Con – M Libbok 1/2(43’)
Pen – M Libbok 4/7 (16’, 59’, 68’, 71’)
YC – F Mostert (36’)

TEAMS

ARGENTINA
1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julián Montoya (capt.), 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Santiago Grondona, 8 Juan Martín González, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Santiago Cordero, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Martín Bogado

Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Tomás Albornoz, 23 Matías Moroni

SOUTH AFRICA
1 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi (capt.), 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Deon Fourie, 7 Franco Mostert, 8 Jasper Wiese, 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Manie Libbok, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 14 Canan Moodie, 15 Damiam Willemse

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GE)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IE); Chris Busby (IE)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IE)