The Springboks were crowned champions of the southern hemisphere for the first time in 10 years with an emphatic 46-13 victory over Argentina in Salta on Saturday.
It wasn’t the most expansive approach from the Springboks as they softened up the Pumas up front, with flyhalf Handre Pollard, who contributed 31 points including two tries, running the show at flyhalf.
But just before they could be slammed for a 10-man rugby approach, coach Rassie Erasmus’s team opened up towards the end of the match to score a total of five tries.
The Boks were caught napping by their hosts at the start of the match, with the Pumas getting the first try after Nicolas Sanchez broke through the rush defence, leading to wing Santiago Cordero eventually collecting a cross kick to score on the right wing.
It was 7-0 after just two minutes and the Boks would have felt at that point that they lost some grip on the Rugby Championship title that was theirs for the taking.
ROLLING THUNDER: Bongi Mbonambi scored off the back of a maul. Photo: Jan Touzeau/EPA.
The match was played at a high intensity from the start and after Pollard goaled the first of his penalty kicks, hooker Bongi Mbonambi scored off the back of a maul in the 13th minute after captain Duane Vermeulen made a great steal on the ground in their own half, before lock Eben Etzebeth sliced through the middle of the park (8-7).
The two teams then traded a number of penalties to take the score to 17-13 in favour of the Boks, before Pollard scored to make it 24-13 at the break.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Springboks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Springboks #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/r2AnBTHHtT
— Springboks (@Springboks)
The flyhalf showed good vision by running straight and hard at the Argie line from close quarters.
While the two teams changed ends at half time, the momentum stayed with the Springboks.
ALL-ACTION DISPLAY: Cheslin Kolbe cameoed at No.9 before his try. Photo: Jan Touzeau/EPA.
And they got a penalty two minutes after the break, before conceding one.
Pollard then scored his second try after 15 second half minutes after a good run and drive from lock Franco Mostert (32-13).
With 16 minutes left, Makazole Mapimpi made a good break down the middle of the field, before again getting the ball from a long pass by Pollard to dot down in the left corner (39-13).
Well done guys!! Congratulations on a splendid victory and successful campaign. pic.twitter.com/eYYWf4Xiq6
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 10, 2019
Shortly afterwards, it was Cheslin Kolbe’s turn to dot down after getting a basketball pass from Pieter-Steph du Toit to complete the 46-13 demolition job.