Springboks unbeaten run ends at hands of Los Pumas in Argentina

The Springboks’ unbeaten run in the Rugby Championship has ended after a 28-29 defeat to Argentina in their round five clash in Santiago del Estero.

Argentina held on for their first win over South Africa since 2018 in Mendoza after eight consecutive losses to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The visitors got out to a fast start, racing out to a 17-0 lead inside the first 12 minutes as Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel scored tries converted by Handre Pollard.

A set-piece strike off a lineout put Fassi over untouched, while minutes later Kriel burst through the line near the ruck on a hard angle.

After a Pollard penalty extended the lead to 17, Argentina hit straight back from a lineout play. A switch from flyhalf Tomas Albornoz took play down the short side, before a bust from inside centre Santiago Chocobares put Mateo Carreras in for the try.

A yellow card to winger Kurt Lee Arendse proved a turning point in the first half, with Los Pumas striking twice with the star in the sin bin for a high tackle on Carreras.

Pablo Matera scored down the left side again after a wide play that put Mateo Carreras through a half gap. From a switch maul play, prop Joel Sclavi crashed over to take an unlikely lead.

The Pumas fourth try came soon after to flyhalf Tomas Albornoz with a sly dummy to slide through and over.

The Springboks hit back right on half-time through Cobus Reinach to head into half-time down 26-22.

The second half became a real arm wrestle with the kick battles and set piece battles crucial. Pollard and Libbok added penalties to take the lead 28-26.

A break by Albornoz from a set piece play gave Argentina the opportunity to re-take the lead with 10 minutes remaining, with Albornoz slotting the goal.

Argentina had a chance to put the game beyond doubt in the corner from a lineout, but Eben Etzebeth came up with a crucial steal and the Springboks worked there way down to the other end.

After getting a penalty around 30 metres out with one minute remaining, it looked like the Springboks would steal it at the death but the penalty attempt by Manie Libbok went wide.

The tournament will now be decided in Nelspruit next weekend with the teams meeting again. However, the Springboks have a five-point lead in the standings heading into that clash after securing a losing bonus point.