Argentina 10-17 South Africa: Springboks survive Pumas fightback to edge Buenos Aires thriller

South Africa survived a dramatic late assault from Argentina to edge a tense 17-10 victory in Buenos Aires.

The Springboks looked to have done enough when Cameron Hanekom powered over in the second half to give them a seven-point lead, but Argentina refused to surrender and almost snatched a draw after the final hooter.

The hosts produced a 14-phase attack in the closing moments, repeatedly hammering at the South African defence before replacement centre Matías Moroni spilled the ball with the tryline beckoning.

It spared the world champions an embarrassing escape act and extended their winning run to 12 matches, although Argentina will take plenty of encouragement from a performance which pushed Rassie Erasmus’ side all the way.

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Match action

The Pumas made an aggressive start and opened the scoring through Santiago Carreras’ penalty before South Africa levelled from the tee through Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Argentina then established a foothold in South African territory and were rewarded when Benjamín Grondona burst through after a clever offload in the tackle released the openside for a dart to the line from 10 metres out.

Carreras added the conversion to put the hosts 10-3 ahead.

South Africa struggled to impose themselves during the opening half, with Argentina’s defence holding firm whenever the visitors threatened.

The Springboks eventually found their breakthrough shortly before half-time, however, as Edwill van der Merwe finished a flowing attack to bring the scores level at 10-10.

Hanekom decides it

South Africa gradually began to gain control after the interval.

The Springboks had already lost captain Siya Kolisi to a hamstring injury earlier in the game, leaving him a doubt for the blockbuster Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, but their bench helped turn the momentum in their favour.

After sustained pressure close to the Argentina line, Hanekom produced the decisive moment in the 62nd minute.

A dominant scrum earned South Africa a penalty advantage and Hanekom dived over from close range, with Handre Pollard adding the conversion to make it 17-10.

The Pumas refused to accept defeat and launched one final attack after the clock had passed 80 minutes.

Phase followed phase as they worked towards the South African line, and eventually Moroni found himself with a chance to break through out wide, but he could not hold a difficult pass and South Africa were able to celebrate.

Hanekom was outstanding throughout for the visitors, while Argentina can reflect on a display which exposed some weaknesses in the world champions but ultimately could not produce the finishing touch.

Kolisi confirmed after the match that he will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury.

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