GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 14: Ball carrier Aphelele Fassi of South Africa during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Springboks outmuscle the Pumas to claim Rugby Championship opener
The Springboks beat the Pumas of Argentina 32-12 to make a winning start to their 2021 Rugby Championship campaign.
GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 14: Ball carrier Aphelele Fassi of South Africa during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
The Springboks beat the Pumas of Argentina 32-12 to make a winning start to their Rugby Championship campaign.
The Springboks settled quicker and soon had a goalable penalty which Elton Jantjies stepped up to slot to make to 3-0 to the hosts.
Argentina tried to work an intricate attacking move from a scrum won after a horrible error by Damian Willemse but things went pear-shaped as they tossed the ball to Cobus Reinach who showed a clean pair of heels to sprint in for the opening try of the match.
Springboks start fast and sharp
The Pumas would then get on the board having won a penalty which Nicholas Sanchez slotted making it a seven-point game.
An inspired chase of a high ball from Eben Etzebbeth put the Springboks on the front foot and Jantjies produced one of his patented cross-kicks to set Aphelele Fassi in for their second try. The winger collected the ball on the gallop with incredible handling skills and finished off with aplomb.
While Jantjies couldn’t convert the try he would add another three from the tee soon after, giving the Springboks an 18-3 lead.
The Springboks seemed to lose their edge a little as the half wore on but after trading penalty goals, led 21-9 at the halftime break.
The Pumas came out after the break looking to up the tempo and had the Springboks under the pump after recovering the restart. It was telling that they so readily accepted three points after getting a penalty.
South Africa kept Argentina under siege with high-balls and were also content to trade three-pointers with the visitors.
Jantjies’ boot would allow the Springboks to move to a 27-12 lead with fifteen minutes left on the clock.
The Pumas defence did a good job of frustrating the Springboks efforts to get the four tries they needed for a bonus point.
Fassi thought he had a second when he got on the end of a floated pass from Reinach, but the try was disallowed due to an infringement earlier in the movement.
The Springboks would cross through debutant Jaden Hendrikse but they wouldn’t be able to get back down into the strike zone.
Eighthman Jasper Wiese was named man of the match after an immense performance.
South Africa 32-12 Argentina: Scorers
South Africa: Jantjies (One conversion, five penalty goals), Reinach (Try), Fassi (Try), Hendrikse (Try).
Argentina: Sanchez (Four penalty goals).
