Boks edge Pumas 17-10 in thriller in Buenos Aires – LIVE UPDATES

In a thrilling one-off Test match in Buenos Aires, South Africa's Springboks secured a narrow 17-10 victory over Argentina's Pumas. This encounter took place ahead of the Springboks' upcoming series against New Zealand's All Blacks, which is scheduled to begin in two weeks. The game was a tightly contested affair with limited scoring opportunities, with the Boks managing to score two tries compared to the Pumas' single try.

At halftime, the score was tied at 10-all, and neither side managed to gain a significant advantage over the other. Argentina expressed disappointment in letting a significant opportunity to defeat the Boks slip away.

Despite a relatively injury-riddled Springboks lineup, the team performed well, with several players returning from injuries such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Morne van den Berg. Kolisi, however, had to be substituted early in the match due to a troublesome hamstring, which could pose concerns for the upcoming All Blacks Tests.

For the Springboks, a standout performance was delivered by Cameron Hanekom in the 8 position, closely followed by Edwill van der Merwe on the wing. De Jager and Etzebeth also played crucial roles in the team's success. The Boks relied heavily on their bench players, with players like Zach Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Cobus Wiese, and Ban-Jason Dixon providing energy and intensity in the second half of the game.

The first half of the match saw the Boks struggling with cohesion, notably with numerous errors and a lack of energy. However, they managed to turn the tide in the second half and ultimately emerged victorious against the Pumas. The Springboks will now focus their attention on preparing for the four Test matches against New Zealand's All Blacks.