LONDON – Argentina have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in rugby history after recording a 37-25 win over South Africa in Durban in the final game of the Rugby Championship.
Marking Argentina’s first away win in their short history in the Rugby Championship and their first ever win over the Springboks, the South Americans were simply stunning in the 12 point upset as they took advantage of an off-colour South African team who, at times, looked as if they were the team only included in the competition in 2012.
An away game in South Africa is one of the most daunting trips in world rugby however the Pumas took it all in their stride as they expressed themselves across the park, underlined by a 20 minute hat-trick to winger Juan Imhoff.
As good as the Argentinians were, the South Africans were just as bad as they resorted to their much maligned 10-man rugby that saw them struggle at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Poor ball control, poor passing and poorer execution meant that the South Africans never really looked like winning the match, falling behind 27-13 at the break.
The second half didn’t get any better for the home team who just couldn’t string together any type of meaningful play to get themselves into the game.
After the match, all eyes were on Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer and, after finishing dead last in this year’s Rugby Championship with only one Rugby World Cup warm up match against the Pumas in Buenos Aires next week, his spot is likely to come under under the magnifying glass during the next seven days.
However credit shouldn’t be taken away from Argentina who dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s in a match that very well may be a turning point in their Rugby Championship participation.