Springboks survive Argentina scare to extend winning streak
BUENOS AIRES — The Springboks extended their winning run to 12 Tests with a gritty 17-10 victory over Argentina, but captain Siya Kolisi limped off with a recurring hamstring injury in the 25th minute. South Africa trailed 10-3 early after a Santiago Carreras penalty and a debut try from Benjamin Grondona, before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s penalty and Edwill van der Merwe’s try on halftime levelled the scores at 10-10.
Cameron Hanekom’s 63rd-minute try from a dominant scrum, converted by Handré Pollard, proved decisive as the Boks held off a frantic 15-phase Argentina assault after the hooter. Coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to give returning players match time ahead of the All Blacks series, and praised the grind despite a disjointed performance. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was what we expected,” he said. Kolisi, who missed seven weeks with the same injury, will undergo a scan to determine his availability for the August 22 series opener.
Analysis: Springboks’ narrow win and what it means
1) Winning ugly builds belief. The Boks’ defence was flawless after the 10th minute, denying Argentina a single second-half entry into the 22 until the final flurry. This resilience, even with a rusty lineup, reinforces their champion mentality ahead of New Zealand.
2) Kolisi injury is the real worry. Losing the inspirational captain for the All Blacks would be a massive blow. Marco van Staden stepped in, but facing the All Blacks’ back-row without Kolisi forces a rethink of the loose-forward balance.
3) Depth delivers again. Hanekom announced himself as a genuine Test option, and the Bomb Squad’s impact at scrum time produced the match-winning try — proof that South Africa’s bench remains their trump card.
What’s next
The Boks reunite with 15 rested players in Johannesburg this week. All focus turns to Kolisi’s scan results. Erasmus will sharpen the attack, which he admitted needs work, while Argentina — fielding six debutants — will take heart from pushing the world champions to the wire.
