
South Africa and Argentina do battle for the second week in a row
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After almost beating the Springboks in Johannesburg last weekend, Argentina host South Africa in Buenos Aires looking for a momentum-building victory ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
It will be a significant occasion for Argentine rugby with hooker Agustin Creevy set to become the first Pumas player to win 100 caps when he comes off the bench.
With both head coaches due to name their final World Cup squads early next week, this is a final chance for many of those on the cut line to try and earn a place.
“We’ve been emphasising the importance of giving as many players as possible a fair chance to show what they can do with an eye on finalising our Rugby World Cup squad,” Jacques Nienaber, South Africa’s head coach, said this week. “This is going to be a massive physical battle and there will be a lot of pressure on the players mentally and physically, which is exactly the type of situation we would like to see them in as we enter our World Cup warm-up games.”
Follow live coverage of the clash below:
Argentina vs South Africa – Rugby World Cup warm-up updates
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Argentina 0-3 South Africa, 20 mins
A good attacking platform for Argentina with a lineout but they make a mess of it and South Africa survive.
The Pumas then do run a few phases and Emiliano Boffelli has space down the right to make good ground. Penalty coming, kick to the corner and this is a golden opportunity for Argentina
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:33
PENALTY! Argentina 0-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 16 mins)
No mistake this time from Manie Libbok from the tee. A simple penalty from bang in front is converted and South Africa are good value for this early lead.
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:29
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 15 mins
South Africa racking up the phases but no way through the Pumas defensive line, so Andre Esterhuizen tries a chip that runs into touch.
Great run by Willemse as he returns a kick with interest and the Springboks are once again in a great attacking position. Moodie darts down the left but a brilliant tackle by Argentina debutant Martin Bogado to drag him into touch. A kick at the posts coming though for the Boks
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:28
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 13 mins
The Springboks force a defensive lineout right on the Argentina line when Marvin Orie charges down a clearance kick that then runs into touch but that’s well executed by the Pumas to clear their line.
Moodie impresses with ball in hand once again with a powerful run down the right and the Boks are quickly back with an attacking platform on the 22. Good disciplined defence from Argentina so far
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:25
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 10 mins
The Pumas scrum goes backwards but they fish the ball out the back to set up an attack just inside the South African half. Gonzalo Bertranou’s high box-lick angled towards the touchline cannons off Damian Willemse’s thigh as he tries to leave it, giving Argentina the lineout on the attacking 22.
But the attack quickly breaks down and South Africa can clear.
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:23
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 8 mins
A first chance to stretch their attacking legs from Argentina but a short Santiago Carreras pass is intercepted inside the South Africa half – miscommunication with his runner there. A knock-on ends the counter-attack though
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:21
MISSED PENALTY! Argentina 0-0 South Africa (Manie Libbok, 5 mins)
The Springboks get over the line but held up by desperate Argentina defence! Back for a penalty on five metres.
They go for the posts, Manie Libbok takes it back to the 22 but puts it wide! Wow, didn’t see that coming, a relatively straightforward kick drifts wide of the right upright. A let-off for Argentina.
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:18
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 3 mins
Great start from South Africa, they make good yards down the right through Canan Moodie and then quickly recycle the ball repeatedly in the 22. Keeping it tight with the forwards, steadily making ground and up to five metres.
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:15
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 2 mins
These are two absolutely gorgeous kits by the way. South Africa is turquoise and white, which complement each other beautifully and Argentina wearing dark blue with a diagonal white sash across the front. A+ kits.
Early concern for the Pumas, centre Santiago Chocobares gets his head positioning all wrong in the tackle and suffers a nasty blow. He’s immediately off for a HIA with Matias Moroni on in his place.
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:13
KICK-OFF! Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 1 min
And we’re underway in Buenos Aires!
Luke Baker5 August 2023 20:10