The bench inspired the Springboks to victory over Argentina in a one-off Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The Boks beat Los Pumas 17-10 to take winning momentum into what’s expected to be a brutal four-Test series against the All Blacks.
Argentina got the better of the world champions from the first whistle, starving them of possession and forcing them into mistakes whenever they looked to build momentum.
Flyhalf Santiago Carreras got Los Pumas on the board in the third minute with a penalty, but Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu quickly levelled matters with a penalty of his own.
FIRST TAKE: Boks left rattled by feisty Pumas
Argentina continued to carry with confidence and were rewarded in the 10th minute when loose forward Benjamin Grondona powered over the line. Carreras kicked the conversion.
The Boks continued to make several uncharacteristic mistakes. They missed tackles and struggled to find any real fluidity, despite having more possession during the second quarter.
Backline moves
Edwill van der Merwe finishes off brilliantly on the wing to level things heading into the break
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The pressure eventually told, though, as slick handling in the backline created an opening for winger Edwill van der Merwe, who raced in under the crossbar.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu made no mistake with the conversion to ensure the Boks went into half-time all square.
There will, however, be concern for coach Rassie Erasmus as captain Siya Kolisi limped off the field.
Not what the fans wanted to see 🫣
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi walks off injured in the first half and is replaced by Marco van Staden
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The Springboks looked more and more settled in the second half. Hooker Johan Grobbelaar thought he had his first try in the green and gold, but it was ruled out due to an arm in touch from replacement Marco van Staden in the build-up.
But in the 63rd minute, the reward finally came as No 8 Cameron Hanekom drove over the line from a ruck. Replacement flyhalf Handré Pollard added the extras to take the Boks seven clear.
PICK YOUR MVP: Boks vs Argentina
The Bok replacements brought energy and a sharpness to a cause that had been missing for most of the match.
ARGENTINA – Try: Benjamin Grondona. Conversion: Santiago Carreras. Penalty: Carreras.
SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Edwill van der Merwe, Cameron Hanekom. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handré Pollard. Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
The post Bench rescues Boks in Argentina thriller appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The bench inspired the Springboks to victory over Argentina in a one-off Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
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