South Africa 27 Argentina 6:Zane Kirchner, Marcell Coetzee and Bryan Habana grabbed tries as South Africa brushed Argentina aside 27-6 at Newlands on Saturday in their opening match in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
The Springbok pack did not yield in defence against the massive opposition forwards and their strong ball-carriers won enough momentum to dominate territory and possession.
Outhalf Morne Steyn steered South Africa to victory, booting three conversions and two penalties and also helping to set up two of the three tries. Argentina’s points came from two penalties by outhalf Juan Martin Hernandez.
South Africa coach Heinke Meyer said the other teams in the Southern Hemisphere competition, New Zealand and Australia, should not take the South Americans lightly. "Full credit to them,” Meyer told reporters. “People underestimate Argentina but they play great rugby, they are going to do well in the tournament.
“Those 15 opponents in blue made it impossible for us to get four tries and a bonus point. Argentina belong in this company and they will be tough to beat.”
Steyn and Hernandez exchanged early penalties before Kirchner pounced on a pass from Steyn before cutting inside and evading two tackles. Stern converted to made it 10-3 and Argentina, who fell foul of referee Steve Walsh in the first half due to indiscipline, handed three more points to the prolific outhalf when they were caught offside at a lineout.
The Pumas continued to concede penalties and South Africa used rolling mauls to good effect before one of them brought a try as Coetzee broke on the blindside to charge over the line. Steyn booted the touchline conversion to give the Springboks a 20-3 advantage. Hernandez then kicked his second penalty before half-time to reduce the deficit to 20-6.
Any hopes Argentina had of getting back in the game were dashed when Hernandez and centre Marcelo Bosch missed three penalties between them early in the the second period. Habana wrapped up victory when he leapt high to claim a lofted kick from Steyn to plunge over.
SOUTH AFRICA:Z Kirchner; B Habana, J de Villiers, F Steyn, L Mvovo; M Steyn, F Hougaard; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis; E Etzebeth, A Bekker; M Coetzee, W Alberts, K Daniel. Replacements: A Strauss, P Cilliers, F van der Merwe, J Potgieter, R Pienaar, P Lambie, JJ Engelbrecht.
ARGENTINA:LG Amorosino; G Camacho, M Bosch, S Fernandez, H Agulla; JM Hernandez, N Vergallo; R Roncero, E Guinazu, J Figallo; M Carizza, P Albacete; JF Cabello, A Galindo, JM Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: B Postiglioni, M Ayerza, JP Orlandi, T Leonardi, L Senatore, M Landajo, M Rodriguez Gurruchage.
Referee:S Walsh (New Zealand)
