The Rugby Championships wraps up with this final match at Emirates Airline Park or Ellis Park as us old timers know it. The Springboks were hosting the Pumas with no trophy on the line, but second place on the ladder was for the taking.
Just so they felt like part of the weekend, the game was not only late getting underway, it only took a few seconds before there was a very long stoppage.
After just 16 seconds, just one touch off the kick off by the Pumas, Grant Williams, in his first starting test match, gets hit in the head by the hip of a charging, jumping Juan Cruz Mallia knocking him instantly out. After a long delay taking the major precautions of Williams health, getting stretcher off the field, it was decided there was, SOMEHOW, no foul play and the match got underway again, Faf de Klerk in for a long night. Of more concern was how long it took the ref to actually stop play, with players yelling at him to shut it down. We wish a speedy recovery for Grant.
Resulting from the injury, the Pumas had possession and after short toil, managed to draw a penalty and take an early 0-3 lead over the Springboks.
Thanks to the boot of Santiago Carreras, the Pumas doubled their lead. They don’t need to be very far in the opposition half to pop these over. Very few early try scoring chances for either side.
Some poor clean up work from the Pumas after a kicking battle allowed the Springboks to grab some points back, also off the tee, this time Manie Libbok on target from right in front made it 3-6, Argentina.
The fireworks did start sparking mid-way through the half as Eben Etzebeth and Malcolm Marx has some fancy tricks from the front of a lineout move. As the ball moved left the next phase, Etzebeth stayed wide and when the ball returned, he made a devastating run OVER the defence the score the opening try. It went unconverted, but took the lead 8-6 for the first time.
Now the Springboks machine was rolling, they were becoming hard to stop. Some poor penalties conceded from the Puma allowed the Springboks rolling maul to enter the scene and we all know what happens next. Although this time it was one of those pesky backs stuck in there and even scored the try. Damian de Allende picked up the five and Libbok added a couple more, 15-6 Springbok lead.
With the half time whistle just moments away, the Pumas earnt themselves a penalty near half-way, again, at this stadium that’s an easy three for most kickers and Carreras is happy to oblige. 15-9 the score to South Africa.
Amazingly, with just one minute remaining in the half, Lucas Paulos makes a tackle on Vermeulen off the kick off and joins the knocked out club. Ref Brace against reluctant to stop the match. Another long stoppage for the welfare of the player.
For note – this 3am kick off match has one minute remaining in the first half and its currently 4:10am as we wait for the restart, sums it up.
HALF TIME – Springboks 15-9 Pumas
A game marred by so much else than rugby already…. but appropriately the better performing side has a slender lead. Pumas have taken their slim amount of time in the Springboks half with shots at goal, but rarely got close to the line. Springboks looking a little sloppy in patches but dominant enough when they need to be. Less than seven lead wont please them too much however….
The second half was a pointless affair for the most part with Argentina controlling a large portion of the half as the Springboks defence and discipline was starting to get a little reckless. Unfortunately for the Pumas, they were unable to make the most of these chances, missing a couple of long shots at gone that could brought them right into this game with less than 20 to play.
Quite remarkably after sitting camped inside the Springboks half for at least 20 minutes, a simple poor pass leads to a pick up and break away from Faf de Klerk who finds the wheels of Libbok to speed away for his first test try. An effort of 80 meters that has really taken the puff completely out of the Pumas. Libbok converts his own try and make it a 22-9 lead to the Springboks.
Pumas quickly went back on the attack, putting the pressure on the Springboks and getting at least a numerical reward, seeing Damian de Allende sent to the bin for 10 after a deliberate knock on. Now they just need to turn it into some points in the closing 10 minutes.
The gate eventually did indeed break down. Mateo Carreras getting over the line on the right edge. Some simple edge to edge attacking rugby enough to get the job done with a man advantage. With the hope of keeping the victory option alive the kick was require but went astray to leave the score 22-14 to the Springboks with just 5 minutes remaining.
A stack of penalties against the Springboks inside their own 22 during the final minutes of the game presented the greatest chance for the Pumas to bring this game within 7 and grab a bonus point and they got the reward in the end. It took till the 83rd minutes but Gonzalo Bertranou managed to snip his way over next to the post and with the conversion brought the Pumas to within just one singular point. They will look back at this game as a massive missed opportunity to topple the Springboks with a number off missed penalties from the book of Carreras.
FULL TIME – Springboks 22-21 Pumas
Stand outs – Eben Etzebeth(SA), Santiago Carreras(ARG), Duane Vermeulen(SA), Lucio Cinti(ARG), Faf de Klerk(SA)
What a crazy crazy match this was. The Springboks always seemed in control, yet the Pumas were always within striking distance. The second forty was dominated by the Pumas who were setting up a 6 week training camp inside the Springboks 22, but just couldn’t deliver the points in speedy enough fashion. Both sides will take minor positives from this game but otherwise there was a stack of areas they cant take with them to France. It was a game marred by the early hit on Williams and the last of control from ref Brace, but the win will please the Springboks, the style, will not.
Let me know your thoughts on the action this weekend in the comments and thanks for stopping by Behind The Posts. If you would like to have your say here, get in touch on the contact page today! If you’d like to watch the video form, check it out here.
BEHIND THE POSTS 
Leave a comment