Rugby: Springboks topple Argentina for fourth straight win

The Springboks celebrate scoring during the Rugby Championship game against Argentina. Photo/Photosport

Ghana-born winger Raymond Rhule scored his first international try, as South Africa claimed a 37-15 victory over Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener.

The Springboks dominated the physical contest, and scored tries through winger Courtnall Skosan, flanker Siya Kolisi and lock Pieter-Steph du Toit, their fourth victory in a row, after a 3-0 clean-sweep of France.

Argentina defended manfully and enjoyed little possession, but managed tries through experienced halfback Martin Landajo and winger Emiliano Boffelli.

The Springboks also handed a first cap to 20-year-old five-eighth Curwin Bosch, when he replaced Elton Jantjies late in the game.

"We couldn't have asked for a better start [to the competition]," said captain Eben Etzebeth. "We said, at halftime, we must keep going and the ball will break for us."

After a miserable 2016 in which they lost eight of their 12 tests, signs of a Bok revival continued, as they won key battles against the Argentines. The home side were dominant in the scrum and held their defensive shape well, offering little space for the visitors to exploit.

South Africa dominated possession in the opening half, but after Jantjies had kicked two penalties, the visitors scored the opening try against the run of play. They completed a swift break in the corner, after Jan Serfontein's attempted grubber kick was scooped up and Landajo was sent clear to dot down.

But a moment of magic by Skosan just before halftime, coupled with some weak defence, allowed the winger to score his maiden international try, as the Springboks headed into the break with a 13-5 advantage.

The teams traded penalties early in the second period, before the Boks took control of the game, when Rhule rounded off some slick handling to cross for his try.

At that stage, South Africa led by 15 points, but that was cut to seven, when Boffelli crossed in the corner for the visitors, after some concerted pressure in the home 22.

With 20 minutes to go, the game was still in the balance, although the Boks continued to dominate possession and territory, and they made sure of the win as Kolisi and Du Toit crossed for tries against the wilting Argentine defence.

"South Africa had a great game," said Landajo. "We need to improve at the breakdown, the ball was very slow.

"Next week in Salta, we will try to use our home crowd to our advantage."

Argentina will host the Boks in Salta next Saturday.