We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Mon 19 Aug 2013 | 07:57
The Springboks demolish Argentina in Soweto try-fest

14
Comments

The Springboks started their Rugby Championship campaign with a nine try demolition of Argentina, winning 73-13 in Soweto. They now look ahead to the rematch, where Argentina will be hoping to bounce back in front of their home crowd in Mendoza.

It took a while to get going but after a comfortable 26-6 lead at the break, South Africa hit their straps and powered to an easy win, scoring seven tries in the second half.

Flyhalf Morne Steyn scored 28 points and kicked 12 from 13 attempts at goal, while tries were scored by JJ Engelbrecht, Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana, Fourie Du Preez, Adriaan Strauss, Willem Alberts, Duane Vermeulen and Bismarck Du Plessis.

There was also a penalty try and two yellow cards, one for a tip-tackle on Engelbrecht.

Captain De Villiers said that there are still elements that need to be worked on, while Argentina's Felipe Contepomi, who scored a consolation try for his team, said that they will not make excuses.

"We are very grateful that we are in this tournament. For us every game is a learning curve. Today is very tough to swallow and I hope we come stronger for next week.

"We need to keep growing. We know we are playing against the three best teams in the world. So for us it's a great, great challenge and I hope that next week we are better than today," he said.

Despite Argentina not having won a match in the tournament in seven attempts, De Villiers says that they will be a different side in front of their fans next weekend.

"They'll be hurting going back home, losing by such a margin. We have to enjoy this win because it doesn't come around very often. We have to start all over again because the beauty of this game is that seven days can be a very long time."

Fourie Du Preez, who made his return on Saturday, is unavailable for the away legs of the tournament so coach Heyneke Meyer has brought in Piet Van Zyl, while tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse comes in for Trevor Nyakane, who was dropped for repeated breaches of team protocol.

Marcell Coetzee and Jano Vermaak also join the squad, while Chilliboy Ralepelle has been ruled out of the tour after having injured his back in a gym session on Saturday morning.

Can Argentina can bounce back from this, or are the Springboks looking too strong at the moment?

Posted By: Grant Constable

14 Comments

  • charly2us
    9:58 PM 22/08/2013

    Sure.. you are right Phelan is a great coach. for your mentality.. the more they play.. the more they loose... he is doing an excellent job!!

  • joeythelemur
    6:55 PM 20/08/2013

    Thanks for the clarification! Makes much more sense now.

  • wasps2207
    12:32 PM 20/08/2013

    The tackle area's clearly difficult to gain clarity in, there are more and more tackles these days which players on both sides are unsure of their legality or not. Eg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM6ZzGj0o6s.

    I agree that the law may state otherwise to my argument, but it's still very patchy and not fully understood by all referees and players.

  • suntzu
    11:23 PM 19/08/2013

    From the moment your upper torso hits the ground first it will be deemed illegal.and hips horizontal and legs/feet above the waist line will be considered a tip tackle and therefore sanctioned by a card. That's just the way it is. You have to imagine that the law makers are trying to set up laws that can be applied to pros as well as amateurs. If an amateur did the same tackle it would be far more dangerous hence the rationale behind trying to eradicate this type of tackle... Lots of people think it takes stuff away from the game - maybe so - but it's the direction that it's going. Hope this clarified a little

  • juggernauter
    9:40 PM 19/08/2013

    Forgot to mention Cordero and Lavanini, two very good youngsters!

  • juggernauter
    9:13 PM 19/08/2013

    I think it all came down to the attitude which each team faced the game with. South Africa were building on a second year under Meyer, a pretty pragmatic coach, and were on the back of three straigh wins against Italy, Scotland and Samoa in June, whereas The Pumas were rebuilding after being well beaten twice against England on home soil, and these self confidence issues started to show after they lost Fernandez Lobbe before the match and Albacete and Hernandez during the 1st half.

    I think Phelan and Turnes haven't been up to the task, and has kept calling players based on their 2007 performances (think Leguizamon). Also Imhoff is an attacking gem but can't tackle a dummy, and Felipe Contepomi, extraordinary player that he was, can't keep carrying all the weight on his shoulders. There are plenty of very good Pumitas (U20s) coming in (Matera, Poet, Ramiro Moyano, de la Vega, Diaz and many others) and should be allowed to populate the team after the Championship, as Argentina is really an ageing team.

  • foxtrot
    7:31 PM 19/08/2013

    Just to add to that; in rugby only games in SA vuvuzelas are banned.

  • rugbydump
    7:27 PM 19/08/2013

    The football/soccer team (Bafana Bafana) played two hours before, at the same venue. It was a sport and recreation day in honour of Nelson Mandela, so a lot of the football fans stayed, hence the excessive vuvuzela'ing. Great atmosphere and occasion.

  • eddie-g
    6:55 PM 19/08/2013

    I guess the question is, was this a case of a very poor Argentina side, or a particularly strong Springbok side? Maybe both, I hope very much it is more the latter.

    Special mention though for Adriaan Strauss. He's been playing great rugby for a while, but after this weekend I no longer think Bismarck is peerless.

  • kettlerugby
    5:44 PM 19/08/2013

    Not a yellow card in my opinion...penalty at most.

  • joeythelemur
    4:38 PM 19/08/2013

    Couple comments...

    Argies didn't seem to contest the breakdown much. Springboks really looked like they were getting quick ball and being clinical with it. Add to that their driving mauls and it's not a surprise that Los Pumas couldn't hang with them.

    Du Preez has gotten a bit thin on top since the last time I saw him!

    For me, this is the first rugby match where the vuvuzelas were a major distraction/annoyance. Perhaps I just haven't noticed before? Is it a Soweto thing more than the rest of the country? Would be disappointed if those things became standard stadium fare for SA rugby.

  • brawnybalboa
    3:06 PM 19/08/2013

    It is a shame to see that Argentina have not been more competitive of late. If you take the Rugby championship out of the equation

    Here are Argentina's last 7 games:
    Argentina 10 - 49 France 39 Point loss (record losing margin & points conceded)
    Wales 12 - 26 Argentina 14 Point win
    France 39 - 22 Argentina 17 Point loss
    Ireland 46 - 24 Argentina 22 Point loss (record losing margin & points conceded)
    Argentina 3 - 32 England 29 Point loss
    Argentina 26 - 51 England 25 Point loss (record points conceded)
    South Africa 73 - 13 Argentina 60 Point loss (record losing margin)

    It does not paint a pretty picture.

  • finedisregard
    2:45 PM 19/08/2013

    I hate watching the Argies lose their own scrum.

  • wasps2207
    12:55 PM 19/08/2013

    How is the dump tackle a yellow card?! Lands on his side, not his neck and is held the whole way down. I know it's all down to interpretation, but if you ask me it was a great hit.

Related Articles