Marco van Staden is already on for South Africa, of course, with Siya Kolisi stricken – but when will Rassie Erasmus go to the rest of his bench? Still Ben-Jason Dixon and Cobus Wiese to be used in the back five of the pack.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu restarts proceedings.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 21:13
HT: Argentina 10-10 South Africa
Hearty, hardy stuff in Buenos Aires with both sides knocking six bells out of one another. Plenty of physicality and two brilliant offloads to create tries – the Springboks will back their bench to make a difference but Argentina have given them plenty to think about.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:59
HALF TIME: Argentina 10-10 South Africa
(AP)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:58
TRY! Argentina 10-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Edwill van der Merwe, 40 minutes)
A score the Springboks needed! Finally, it clicks for South Africa, but only thanks to Andre Esterhuizen.
The centre is given a wretched pass but manages to corral it by his shins, before using his burl to biff back a would-be tackler. That allows him to contort an offloading limb over the top and spring his backline colleagues into space, and Aphelele Fassi puts Edwill van der Merwe into the corner.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:57
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 38 minutes
Into the final couple of minutes of the first half. Elrigh Louw, quiet so far, makes a carry wide on the left as South Africa attempt to mount an offensive.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:55
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 36 minutes
Every time South Africa attempt to exert some pressure, an error or poor kick seems to come. The latest is a high hoist that Argentina are able to mark, with Santiago Carreras retreating beneath it to reduce the impact of the crackdown on escorting runners. A good take over the shoulder from Carreras.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:54
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 34 minutes
It’s all just a bit too untidy from Sotuh Africa in the face of Argentina’s defensive strength. Can the Pumas make it count before half time?
Ah, a frustrating one. A brilliant cross-kick from Geronimo Prisciantelli lands beautifully in the hands of Ignacio Mendy, and Argentina rush through in support. Boris Wenger can’t clasp a pass a few phases later, though.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:50
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 31 minutes
Another missed chance for South Africa, whistled for playing the ball in an offside position having stalled five metres from the Argentina line. Aphelele Fassi hasn’t realised the penalty is against the Springboks, and tried to tap and go to the line. Christophe Ridley, in the confusion, almost permits it, before rapidly correcting himself.
Argentina belt the penalty long, though not to touch, and a fumble as they return the kick back to them will grant South Africa possession 35 yards out.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:47
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 29 minutes
Cameron Hanekom is having a good half, too, for South Africa. A jackal penalty is his latest significant defensive involvement.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:44
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 26 minutes
Argentina have done such a good job in this first half-hour. They’ve scrambled and steeled when they’ve needed to, but it’s been mostly pure gainline physicality rocking the bocks.
That said, poor Faustino Sanchez Valarolo is taking a clattering in attack. Eben Etzebeth and Andre Esterhuizen are the latest bouncers to eject him roughly from the club.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 August 2026 20:43