The Springboks were pushed until the final moments when they emerged 17-10 winners against Argentina. Argentina took the lead in the first half, but the Springboks were able to score and bring the match into the break level.
The Springboks relied on a try from the base of the scrum to secure their victory. In the final play, Argentina were on the attack, but an overthrown pass ended up with the ball in touch and the Springboks celebrated with a sense of relief.
Springboks forwards ratings vs Argentina
1 Boan Venter- 6
The first half scrum was not as strong as expected and grew once Venter and Du Toit came off. Argentina were very targeted in attack and found space around him on a few occasions. Missed three tackles.
2 Johann Grobbelaar- 7
Incredibly led the way for carries despite coming off just after 60 minutes. Overthrew a crucial lineout in the first half when the Springboks were on the attack.
3 Thomas du Toit- 5
Got beaten out at pillar for Argentina’s try. He left too big a gap between him and the maul; when the offload took place, it was an easy walk-through for Argentina. Gave away a scrum penalty early in the game. Did make eight tackles in the game.
4 Eben Etzebeth- 6
Very strange incident where he tried to jump into a tackle on 59 minutes, despite being so tall! Relatively solid ball of the top of the lineout and made 15 tackles in the game. Did have a knock on a few metres short of the line.
5 Lood de Jäger- 6
Solid off the top of the lineout, winning four. Only made seven metres from six carries on the ball and made eight tackles in the game.
6 Siya Kolisi- 5
Came off injured after 26 minutes. A massive worry for the Greatest Rivalry series. Kolisi confirmed after the game was a hamstring injury that will require a
7 Elrigh Louw- 6
Missed three tackles, but did attempt 19, leading the Springboks. Didn’t get up to much on the ball and wasn’t able to make a big impact at ruck time in the game.
8 Cameron Hanekom- 8
Steered the scrum excellently to score the second try and was the standout for the Springboks on the day. Has put himself in contention for a test jersey against the All Blacks. Made 12 tackles and 13 carries, while he was only behind Edwill van der Merwe for metres carried in the match.
Backs
9 Covid Reinach- 6
Missed three tackles in the game and was trusted with the kicking from the base of the ruck in the second half. Was put under pressure by the Argentina defence.
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu- 6
Wasn’t his best game in a green jersey, but this was his return from a relatively big injury on Stormers duty. Argentina targeted SFM in defence and were fast up in the line to him. Made 16 carries in the game, for 48 metres carried in the game.
11 Ethan Hooker- 7
Gathered a late kick through from Argentina which would have seen them score and potentially level things up. Very solid defensively and while he was decent in attack, didn’t see a lot of the ball.
12 Andre Esterhuizen- 7
Outstanding offload to send the rest of the backline away for the Van Der Merwe try.
Injured himself on a late hit on the 10 after 65 minutes. Made four dominant tackles in the game, the only Springbok to make more than two.
13 Canan Moodie- 6
Brilliant choke tackle on 62 minutes helped get a massive turnover on the Argentinian five-metre line.
14 Edwill van der Merwe- 7
Scorer of the opening try for the Springboks.
Excellent pressure from a kick chase led to the ball getting turned over on the Argentinian five-metre line. An amazing covering tackle on 77 minutes to prevent an overlap late into the game. Made 101 metres in the game, more than any other player by 19 metres.
15 Aphelele Fassi- 6
Not involved massively throughout the game, but still managed to carry for 79 metres in the game and was also the only Springbok to make more than one line break, with two.
