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Springboks survive late scare as Hanekom stars in Argentina
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South Africa survived a late-scare by Argentina to hang on for a 17-10 win in Buenos Aires on the back of an inspirational performance from No.8 Cameron Hanekom.
Down by seven a 50-22 with one minute remaining gave Argentina one last chance to level the game.
After 14 phases, the Pumas went wide where centre Matias Moroni had a chance to score in the corner but the high pass slipped through his hands into touch ending the game.
Earlier, a first half onslaught by Argentina left the Springboks fighting hard to stay in the Test after an early injury to captain Siya Kolisi.
The Pumas and Springboks traded penalties early before the home side landed the first blow through openside Benjamin Grondona running over untouched from 10 metres out following an offload in the tackle.
Argentina held a 10-3 lead for most of the half as a physical battle led to a stalemate despite the Pumas finding six line breaks.
The Pumas kick plan found plenty of success with attacking chips and cross field kicks leading to break opportunities, with wing Ignacio Mendy finding four in the first half.
The Springboks own kicking game was ineffective early with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach and Aphelele Fassi kicking too long at times, while the tactic of having a retreating winger catch the ball proved to negate any contest in the air.
South Africa’s defence was strong on the ground, pushing the Pumas back behind the gain line and winning many breakdown penalties to relieve pressure.
No.8 Cameron Hanekom was a stand out on attack and defence in the first half, finishing with 13 carries for 82 run metres and a try off the back the scrum for his efforts.
Right on half-time the Springboks struck back, with Esterhuizen finding an offload to free up the backs down the right edge. Winger Edwill Van der Merwe raced away untouched to score under the posts and level scores 10-all at the break.
After an intercept and break by reserve prop Tomas Rapetti, South Africa were penalised leading to a Carreras penalty which hit the post and bounced into the field of play
As the second half wore on, the volume of kicks began to turn the territory advantage completely in South Africa’s favour while errors by the Pumas played into the Boks hands. A loose lineout by Argentina gave the Springboks an attacking entry into the 22 from which Esterhuizen was held up.
The injection of the Springboks bench helped lift the visitors, improving the scrum and maul and providing more power in the carry game.
A helter-skelter period of play and the continued kick heavy game plan gave South Africa the territory to get ahead on the scoreboard after forcing multiple goal line drop outs.
A kick in-behind by Handre Pollard turned into a collapsed maul turnover after they held up Argentina’s fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli.
A dominant scrum gave the Boks penalty advantage from which No.8 Cameron Hanekom dived over for a 17-10 lead.
They would hold on with a big defensive stand to finish the game, repelling the Argentineans repeatedly before the final pass went into touch.
Siya Kolisi confirmed in his post-match interview that he had a hamstring issue and will go for scans to determine the extent.
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