|


|
|
08/08/26 04:54:00
Printable Page
08/08 16:52 CDT Springboks edge Argentina as Siya Kolisi limps off with a
recurring hamstring injury
Springboks edge Argentina as Siya Kolisi limps off with a recurring hamstring
injury
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) --- South Africa scraped past Argentina 17-10 in
test rugby at the possible expense of inspirational captain Siya Kolisi on
Saturday.
Kolisi, in his first match in seven weeks following a hamstring injury, trudged
off in the 25th minute. He may be a doubt to lead the Springboks back home
against New Zealand in two weeks in the opening test of the blockbuster
Greatest Rivalry series.
"I hurt my hamstring again unfortunately," he said. "It's tough but I can't be
sad about it. There's nothing I can do but go in for a scan and see how long
I'm out for."
The skipper was among a core group of Springbok stalwarts given match time in
Buenos Aires after missing the Nations Championship in July because of
injuries. Caps record-holder Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Sacha
Feinberg-Mngomezulu played every minute and lock Lood de Jager, coming back
from a hip injury, lasted until the third quarter.
They got to celebrate a 12th straight test win, but only just.
The depleted Pumas almost snatched a draw after the fulltime hooter. From a tap
penalty in front of the Springbok posts, they pounded the visitors for 15
phases until the final high pass to an unmarked Matas Moroni was dropped.
Coach Felipe Contepomi pounded the coaches' booth and Moroni was in tears.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus expected the grind. For the tune-up for the
All Blacks, he made 13 changes from the side which beat Wales 43-0. He picked
players recovered from injuries, guys who had limited time during the Nations
Championship, or players on the fringes of the squad.
They prevailed against a surprisingly tough Pumas outfit who, because the game
was outside the international window, couldn't summon Europe-based stars such
as captain Julin Montoya, Marcos Kremer, Joaqun Oviedo and Justo Piccardo.
They debuted four players.
The difference was in the second when the more experienced Springboks bench
made it count and scored the winning try from a scrum.
Santiago Carreras, from 45 meters, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu traded early penalty
kicks. Then from lineout ball, prop Boris Wenger stood in a gang tackle and
offloaded for flanker Benjamn Grondona to burst clear to the tryline.
As good as the Pumas were, the spent the remaining half-hour to halftime in
their own territory. They were solid in the set-piece and kicked cleverly,
winning the aerial contestables but lacking a decisive last pass.
The Boks were also diligent but crashing into a good Pumas defense. After a
long sustained attack, Springbok frustration was manifested by
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who resorted to a drop goal attempt that hit the crossbar.
The Boks didn't really threaten the tryline until the brink of halftime when a
couple of offloads by the centers and fullback Aphelele Fassi joining the line
allowed right winger Edwill van der Merwe to skirt the defense and score.
Erasmus emptied his bench in the third quarter and the fresh power began to
show in the one-sided scrums. The pressure finally told when Canan Moodie stood
up Pumas fullback Gernimo Prisciantelli and forced a five-meter scrum.
The Springboks popped the tighthead side, splintered the Pumas scrum and No. 8
Cameron Hanekom cruised over the tryline.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
|