Head coach Rassie Erasmus and skipper Siya Kolisi said the Springboks were pleased to grind out a hard-fought 17-10 win against Argentina despite a below-par performance.
On Saturday, the teams were locked at 10-10 at half-time before Cameron Hanekom’s try in the fourth quarter broke the deadlock in Buenos Aires. Los Pumas pushed hard for a response in the closing stages, but the Boks held firm to extend their winning run in 2026.
Erasmus admitted the Boks looked leg-weary and disjointed after several players returned from injury and limited game time, but praised their character and composure under pressure.
“Our focus was purely on beating Argentina today, and we had a tough day out there,” he said.
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“We looked leg-weary early on, gave up a lot of territory, and made errors which we knew were likely with seven or eight players having played very little rugby in the last six or seven weeks. I always expected us to look disjointed, having left 15 players back in South Africa.
“Argentina play a different style of rugby, and the stadium is genuinely intimidating, but it’s a win although it wasn’t pretty and perfect. That said, we are happy with the result and with the way we ground it out.”
Erasmus was encouraged by the defence but said the attack needed work. “Our discipline was also relatively good, but what we need to sort out is our attack.
“A number of players were short on game time returning from injury, but getting them through 80 minutes was always going to affect our fluency,” he said. “The positive is that we got them through the game.”
He also credited Argentina’s physicality and fighting spirit, adding: “I have to give credit to them.
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“They are a very proud rugby nation, and I always say they’ve got that same fight in them that we have back home. They’re passionate, and they never stop. What pleased me today was that we won the physical battle.”
Kolisi, who left the field with a hamstring injury in the first half, said the Boks knew they faced one of their toughest opponents.
“We have a huge amount of respect for them, and we could easily have lost this game. Home or away, they’re one of the toughest teams we play all year. I thought it was going to be a real battle, and we were fortunate to come through it.”
The Boks will now return to South Africa in two groups on Sunday and Monday, before reuniting with the 15 players who remained behind in preparation for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacksy.
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
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Head coach Rassie Erasmus and skipper Siya Kolisi said the Springboks were pleased to grind out a hard-fought 17-10 win against Argentina despite a below-par performance.
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