South Africa produced a much improved display after the interval to overcome Argentina for the second time in a week following a 24-13 triumph in Buenos Aires.
The Springboks opened the game’s account via a Manie Libbok penalty, but Los Pumas would go into the break 10-3 in front through Gonzalo Bertranou’s try and Emiliano Boffelli’s three-pointer.
Jacques Nienaber’s charges responded at the start of the second period, however, as Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moddie touched down to regain their advantage.
It was a lead they would not relinquish with Libbok, despite a disappointing day with the boot, sealing the win with a trio of penalties.
Argentina were ultimately left frustrated having gone into this contest with high hopes of toppling the world champions after their brave 22-21 defeat in Johannesburg.
With the Springboks also showing several changes from the clash the previous weekend, that provided a further boost for the Argentines.
It was goal-kicking which let Michael Cheika’s men down in the Rugby Championship loss, but on Saturday it was South Africa who struggled off the tee.
Libbok did open the scoring with a penalty but he missed two further three-point opportunities. They were also held up twice over the line as the hosts’ last-ditch defence frustrated the Boks.
It proved costly for the visitors in the first half as they allowed Los Pumas to build a platform.
Under pressure, the visitors began to infringe and, from one such moment of ill-discipline, Bertranou caught the South African rearguard unawares, taking a quick-tap penalty and stepping Deon Fourie to touch down.
Santiago Carreras missed one conversion and two penalty attempts last week but Cheika brought Boffelli back for this encounter and the sharp-shooter was on target to make it a seven-point score.
The star back three player then added another off the tee after Franco Mostert had been yellow carded as Argentina took a 10-3 advantage into the interval.
South Africa began the second period a man down but that only served to inspire the Boks, and more specifically fly-half Libbok.
Los Springboks aprovecharon el sector corto y Makazole Mapimpi llegó al in-goal de #LosPumas. 🇿🇦⚡#ESPNenStarPlus pic.twitter.com/bTnEny73DC
― ScrumRugby (@ScrumESPN) August 5, 2023
Firstly, the playmaker brilliantly converted Mapimpi’s try from out wide before his outstanding crossfield kick was collected and finished off by Moodie.
Those quick-fire scores while Mostert was off the field moved the visitors 15-10 ahead before Boffelli reduced the arrears going into the final half-hour.
Libbok’s issues off the tee then returned as the pivot missed another effort, but he would be on target with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The playmaker then added two more three-pointers in the last quarter to make sure of the triumph as the Springboks finished the match in the ascendency.
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