Argentina held out to claim a one-point win over the Springboks in Santiago del Estero on Saturday and set up a Rugby Championship title decider in Nelspruit.
A 68th-minute penalty from flyhalf Tomos Albornoz gave Argentina a 29-28 victory, after the home side trailed 17-0 in the opening 15 minutes.
The win sees Argentina keep alive their slim hopes of claiming a first-ever Rugby Championship title, setting up a decider in the return match at the Mbombela Stadium.
The Springboks came away with a losing bonus point and lead Argentina by five log points, so will just need a solitary point from the final-round match to seal the title.
An incredible first half saw the world champions race into a 17-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes, with Aphelele Fassi dotting down from the first real attack, before Jesse Kriel scored and Handre Pollard added a penalty.
However, Argentina’s response was equally sensational, as the hosts tore the famed Bok defence to shreds, scoring four tries in the space of 20 minutes, aided by a harsh yellow card to Kurt-Lee Arendse for a high tackle.
Cobus Reinach’s quick thinking, scoring in the corner from a quick-tap penalty, ensured South Africa were trailing by four points going into the break.
A slower second half saw both teams make a plethora of errors, as they struggled to contend with the hot and humid conditions. Pollard and Manie Libbok added a penalty each to take the Boks into a two-point lead.
However, while the Springboks dominated the scrum, it was the battle of the boots that ultimately determined the outcome, with Albernoz slotting his attempt, before Libbok dragged a shot wide in the final minute of play.
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
