Ruan Combrinck is expected to miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship after sustaining a fractured fibula in South Africa’s 26-24 loss to Argentina in Salta on Saturday.
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Until that last scoring act, South Africa lifted its performance, closing to 23-21 with a penalty to Steyn and a try to replacement Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The Pumas appeared to be letting another 10-point lead slip through their fingers, like they did in the final 15 minutes to lose 30-23 in Nelspruit last week, but this time they made home advantage count courtesy of Gonzalez Iglesias’ 78th-minute three-pointer.
Landajo, Argentina’s only ever-present player since they joined the championship in 2012, said it was good to have another chance of revenge so soon.
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has resisted the temptation to ring the changes for Saturday’s clash with Argentina.
Both sides scored two tries as the Pumas, who led 13-3 at halftime, beat the Springboks for the second time in 24 meetings and the second in as many seasons.
Famous victory: The Pumas defeated the Springboks for only their third win in the rugby championship.
The Bok coach added: “We had enough opportunities to create scoreboard pressure, but we did not take them”. We missed some penalties and also didn’t score tries when we were in a position to do so. The squad for those fixtures will be announced on Tuesday. The defeat is hurting and the Springboks will never be satisfied with a loss.
“Credit to Argentina because they really worked for their victory”.
“We need to take a long, hard look at ourselves and fix what has gone wrong before playing in Australia and New Zealand next month”.
Hernandez, who masterminded Argentina’s win in Durban a year ago, engineered a fine second Pumas try with a neat crossfield kick to the far right corner where flanker Juan Leguizamon beat Habana to the ball and scored.
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Johan Goosen, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley, Oupa Mohoje, Francois Louw, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Tendai Mtawarira.
