Review: South Africa vs Argentina

Review: South Africa vs Argentina
South Africa secure bronze under pressure and dispense with a rugged and resilient Argentinian outfit. The Springboks began their quest for bronze at a fiery tempo, taking the game to the Argentinians who found themselves a man short after five minutes. Lacey was quick to flash his yellow card when Cubelli failed to retreat ten from a quick-tap penalty.. The Boks quickly opted for the corner, which would later pay dividends in the form of a Pietersen try. Argentina, stunned by the early aggression of the Boks, found their composure. Sanchez and Cordero created their own respective chances as the half developed, scything the gain-line and pressurising the Boks, only to be foiled as the whitewash approached. Pollard would convert a further three penalties before the close of the first, holding the Argentine scoreless after forty

The second half saw the match peter out as a contest, with South Africa happy to sit back on their 16 point lead. Argentina tried valiantly in attack, determined to run the ball from everywhere, but they struggled in the face of resolute defending from the physical South Africans. The Latin Americans managed to eek out two penalties which Sanchez duly converted, but it was always going to take a herculean effort to get across the whitewash. The try finally came, as Orlandi managed to squeeze over from close range as the clock went dead to add some gloss to the final scoreline.

South Africa deserving winners in the end, but its hard not to feel for the Argentinians who added so much to the tournament. Always trying to play the game in the right way, they will surely be contenders in 4 years time with this young squad.

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