Courtnall Skosan played his best Test in a Springboks jersey to date. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images.
18.48
Curwin Bosch gets a roaring applause for his Test debut. But the start isn’t great. First, his kick is charged down and then he misses a penalty to touch. But no matter, it’s a fine performance from the Boks. They’ve set the ball rolling and win 37-15!
18.41
SPRINGBOKS 37 – ARGENTINA 15 (Try Pieter-Steph du Toit)
The Boks go for a scrum just to rub it in the Pumas’ noses. Francois Hougaard makes a sniping break and replacement Pieter-Steph du Toit barges over under a pile of bodies. Bonus point for the Boks.
18.38
The critics will be less after this.
18.37
He’s really played his heart out.
18.33
SPRINGBOKS 30 – ARGENTINA 15 (Try Siya Kolisi)
Simply dreamy from the Boks. Skosan goes a good run after Jesse Kriel’s skilful pass. They change direction and that man Siya Kolisi ghosts through. Beautiful!
18.30
It would be funny if it wasn’t so unbelievably sad.
18.25
SPRINGBOKS 23 – ARGENTINA 15 (Try Emiliano Boffelli)
The Pumas hammer away at the Boks’ line and some magnificent handling sees them exploit the hosts’ rush defence. The visitors are still in this.
18.20
18.18
SPRINGBOKS 23 – ARGENTINA 8 (Try Raymond Rhule)
Another first try in a Springboks jersey! This time it’s Raymond Rhule, who gallops through a screaming gap left by the Pumas after the visitors had already conceded advantage. Jantjies converts.
18.13
SPRINGBOKS 16 – ARGENTINA 8 (Penalty Jantjies)
Jaco Kriel initially misses a tackle on Landajo but immediately makes up for it with a brilliant turnover at the next breakdown. Jantjies kicks a beauty.
18.11
SPRINGBOKS 13 – ARGENTINA 8 (Penalty Nicolas Sanchez)
The Pumas have started the second half far better. Keep the ball well and Marx is pinged for hands in the ruck. Sanchez converts.
18.10
18.08
17.57
17.53
It’s half-time. Not perfect by the Springboks but it’s encouraging again.
17.50
SPRINGBOKS 13 – ARGENTINA 5 (Try Courtnall Skosan)
It’s a first Test try for Courtnall Skosan! Beautiful move from the Lions men! After a rocket pass by Serfontein, Jantjies floats a ball inside to Skosan. He’s tackled but not held and shows twinkle toes to score. Fantastic!
17.44
SPRINGBOKS 6 – ARGENTINA 5 (Try Martin Landajo)
Jan Serfontein runs out of ideas on attack and puts a poorly judged kick ahead. It’s straight into the hands of Joaquin Tuculet, who breaks, kicks forward and allows scrumhalf Martin Landajo to win the foot race. That was poor play by the Springboks centre.
17.35
17.33
SPRINGBOKS 6 – ARGENTINA 0 (Penalty Jantjies)
The Springboks again on the front foot after a good scrum. They show some variation on attack without really making progress before the Pumas go offside. Jantjies is accurate with the penalty.
17.32
17.28
Referee Romain Poite strikes again. Denies Jaco Kriel a try for a knock-on when it was a Puma that actually got a hand to the ball.
17.26
17.23
SPRINGBOKS 3 – ARGENTINA 0 (Penalty Elton Jantjies)
Jesse Kriel launches a powerful run from a scrum in midfield and the Pumas infringe at the breakdown. Great strike by Jantjies!
17.20
It’s all rather messy at the moment. The Springboks win a good scrum penalty but Elton Jantjies tries a silly drop kick from a decent attacking position. Then Argentina go forward from midfield. Still 0-0.
17.18
It’s indeed a fine record!
17.17
17.14
The Springboks put the Argentinians under pressure from the kick-off but the visitors are patient on defence and actually manage to stop the Boks after 16 phases. Fine defence.
17.11
It might be annoying but it’s one of those things…
17.10
17.03
Well, it has served him rather well in 2017
16.49
It’s been a good ground for the Springboks in the past…
16.47
On that note, here’s a reminder of who represents that loose trio (and the rest of the side):
Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Uzair Cassiem, Jaco Kriel, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Coenie Oosthuizen, Malcolm Marx, Beast Mtawarira. Bench: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Curwin Bosch, Damian de Allende.
16.46
16.41
This is indeed a legitimate point. Eben Etzebeth is a man known for not standing back for anyone. But he needs to keep his cool as skipper.
16.40
16.20
16.20
A former Protea gives his prediction.
16.05
Meanwhile, our man at Loftus – Ken Borland – reports a dramatic comeback for the Free State Cheetahs against the Blue Bulls. Hopefully this doesn’t happen here!
16.03
Gurthro Steenkamp, a stalwart Springboks prop under Jake White and Peter de Villiers, remains a very faithful supporter.
16.00
If there’s been a youngster who’s experienced a so-called breakout season, it’s 20-year-old Curwin Bosch. He didn’t play against France because team management wanted him at the Under-20 World Championships. Now, he’s a senior Springbok and could make his debut off the bench. Here’s what Allister Coetzee had to say.
15.47
Well done Bayers!
15.32
15.30
With Warren Whiteley essentially sidelined for the whole campaign, a new sheriff is in town. Read here what Eben Etzebeth had to say about his responsibility.
15.30
Welcome to out live coverage of the Springboks’ opening Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Port Elizabeth. Can the South Africans build on an encouraging 3-0 series win over France in June?
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