South Africa staged a second-half 18-point comeback to power past Argentina at the Velez Sarlsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday, the first of their three autumn Tests.
Argentina had led 20-16 at half-time, but the Springboks limited the Pumas to just one penalty in the second period while they notched up a goal, try, penalty and drop-goal.
Argentina scored the first try just after the quarter-hour, flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon breaking from a maul from a line-out to evade a couple of despairing tackles to cross the South African line.
The Pumas doubled their try count five minutes later with winger Francisco Leonelli taking a cross kick by Felipe Contepomi, who was wide with the conversion for the second time.
Percy Montgomery — who scored 18 points on the afternoon — added his second and South Africa’s third penalty shortly after to claw the visitors back into the game.
With half-time looming, South Africa pressured deep and from a lineout drive by captain John Smit, the ball was spun wide and Brent Russel fed Montgomery who crossed for a try he converted himself.
But the home side hit back with a try through centre Manuel Contepomi, who crashed over from a smart offload from his brother Felipe at outside-half, who also converted the try to give his side a 20-16 half-time lead.
The second-half opened with South Africa pressing for a quick riposte, and centre Jaque Fourie duly notched up a try within a minute, after taking a neat offload from scrum-half Bolla Conradie.
Montgomery followed up that try with the conversion and a penalty two minutes later to bring South Africa right back into the game.
Contepomi kicked Argentina’s sole second-half points in the 50th minute but that was a mere blip as the Springboks exerted their control over the match despite having Jean de Villiers despatched to the sin bin for fighting.
Conradie landed a cheeky drop-goal minutes later and Smit wrapped things up for the Springboks with a 72nd minute try. – Sapa-AFP