Argentina vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup warm-up result and reaction

Tries by wings Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie helped a much-changed South Africa to a 24-13 victory over Argentina in their Rugby World Cup warm-up clash in Buenos Aires, ruining a major milestone for home hooker Agustin Creevy.

The Springboks made 13 changes for the game with several players given a chance to impress before coach Jacques Nienaber names his 33-player World Cup squad on Tuesday, but they trailed 10-3 after an ill-disciplined first half.

After Mapimpi and Moodie crossed for scores in quick succession at the start of the second period however, they turned the screw, and the boot of fly-half Manie Libbok took them clear as he kicked 14 points.

The home side’s only try was scored by scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou and they had few answers to the South African power game, but when Creevy came on as a replacement he became the first Argentine player to reach 100 Test caps.

Relive the clash below:

Argentina vs South Africa - Rugby World Cup warm-up updates

• South Africa beat Argentina in Buenos Aires in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match

• FULL-TIME! Argentina 13-24 South Africa

• 73’ - 100 CAPS! Creevy becomes the first man to win 100 caps for Argentina (ARG 13-24 RSA)

• 46’ - TRY! Moodie races over after Libbok’s cross-field kick (ARG 10-15 RSA)

• 42’ - TRY! Mapimpi goes over in the corner (ARG 10-10 RSA)

• 23’ - TRY! Bertranou’s quick tap and go puts the Pumas ahead (ARG 7-3 RSA)

Argentina 13-24 South Africa

22:27 , Luke Baker

South Africa celebrate victory in Buenos Aires

Argentina 13-24 South Africa

22:07 , Luke Baker

A professional job well done for the Springboks in the end

FULL-TIME! Argentina 13-24 South Africa

22:02 , Luke Baker

And that’s it! A strong second-half performance from South Africa and they deservedly beat Argentina for the second week in a row.

A few players will have given Jacques Nienaber some thinking to do about his Rugby World Cup squad there.

Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 80 mins

22:00 , Luke Baker

Groans from the crowd as Argentina try to run from their own half but sloppiness with ball in hand sees it hit the floor. The Pumas have been pretty poor in this second half, in truth.

NO TRY! Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 79 mins

21:59 , Luke Baker

Argentina with a poor clearance kick, Willemse spins out of tackles on the return and into the 22. Dweba with a great inside pass to Jean-Luc du Preez who keeps the legs churning to get within five metres.

In fact, he may have scored here! Tacklers falling off him, he hits the ground a couple of metres short but rolls over and stretches out to try and place the ball over the line. He’s allowed to stretch so long as there’s no double movement.

A long TMO check both on the grounding and if there was obstruction earlier in the build-up from Deon Fourie. Eventually it’s ruled no try for obstruction by Fourie as Willemse was spinning.

Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 78 mins

21:55 , Luke Baker

Quick hands from the Boks to keep the ball alive in the tackle as they push for another try. Libbok tries a cross-kick to Moodie once again but this one skids out of play.

Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 76 mins

21:54 , Luke Baker

Something to cheer for the Argentina fans at least. South Africa are inches away and Evan Roos tries to roll over and stretch out to dot down but knocks on in the process. The Pumas survive

Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 75 mins

21:52 , Luke Baker

The Springboks turning up the heat here. Making good yards with almost every carry and they’re well into the Pumas 22 again.

CREEVY REACHES 100 CAPS! Argentina 13-24 South Africa, 73 mins

21:50 , Luke Baker

A huge moment for Argentine rugby. Agustin Creevy is substituted on for Montoya to become the first man to win 100 caps for Argentina.

He’s been an absolute servant to the Pumas and deserves this accolade. A great reception around the stadium for him.

PENALTY! Argentina 13-24 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 71 mins)

21:48 , Luke Baker

It’s central, between the 10-metre line and the 22 and Manie Libbok makes no mistake from the tee. He’s shaken off the jitters from the tee and South Africa look home and hosed here.

Argentina 13-21 South Africa, 70 mins

21:47 , Luke Baker

Good defence by Kriel, who shoots out of the line and forces a mistake#, a knock-on from prop Joel Sclavi.

Moodie then kick chases like his life depends on it and hauls down Boffelli on the return, again forcing a spill. The formidable Boks front row then do what they do best and splinter the Pumas scrum to win a penalty. Another shot from Libbok upcoming

PENALTY! Argentina 13-21 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 67 mins)

21:45 , Luke Baker

It’s a long-range penalty for Manie Libbok just inside the Argentina half but that doesn’t stop him! A great kick, on target and enough distance to go over.

It’s been a bizarre performance off the tee by Libbok but fair play to him being able to forget his previous, more straightforward misses and nail some tough kicks.

Argentina 13-18 South Africa, 66 mins

21:43 , Luke Baker

Gerhard Steenekamp breaks the line after a great flat pass by Libbok. Eventually it’s another Springboks penalty and their No 10 will have a shot at the posts, which is the facet of the game he’s struggled with today.

Argentina 13-18 South Africa, 64 mins

21:41 , Luke Baker

The second-half defensive intensity of the Springboks is superb. They push Argentina back behind the gain-line time and time again until they’re forced to kick.

It’s long, aimless and goes dead, so suddenly it’s South Africa ball in the opposition half.

Argentina 13-18 South Africa, 61 mins

21:39 , Luke Baker

Jean Kleyn pinged for a neck roll and Argentina kick to the corner. Another quality lineout from Montoya and they set the maul but it’s stopped by South Africa. They’ve defended that facet really well today.

And then a turnover for the Boks! More great work at the breakdown, Jean-Luc du Preez nicks the turnover and they can kick clear.

PENALTY! Argentina 13-18 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 59 mins)

21:36 , Luke Baker

Boffelli and Moroni both rise well to claim separate high balls but South Africa are winning the breakdown battle at the moment. Again their pack crunches in and wins a kickable penalty.

On the ten-metre line but fairly central and this time Manie Libbok corrects his radar and slots the three points.

MISSED PENALTY! Argentina 13-15 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 56 mins)

21:32 , Luke Baker

The Springboks upping the intensity a bit here. They force a turnover as Kleyn makes a solid tackle and Jasper Wiese gets over the ball to win the penalty.

Manie Libbok with the shot at goal but once again, his radar is off. He’s had a pretty poor day from the tee (but a good one in open play)- and this slips wide left of the posts. He looks annoyed with himself.

PENALTY! ARGENTINA 13-15 South Africa (Emiliano Boffelli, 51 mins)

21:27 , Luke Baker

The South African defence stiffens but a penalty coming after Deon Fourie ruled not to have rolled away in the tackle.

It’s straight in front of the posts and Boffelli does the inevitable. Argentina back within two points.

Argentina 10-15 South Africa, 50 mins

21:25 , Luke Baker

Franco Mostert back on after his sin-bin and things look very different now to when he went off!

The Pumas trying to gain a foothold after that two-try blitz. Powerful carry by Lucio Cinti and they’re set up in the Boks 22.

TRY! Argentina 10-15 SOUTH AFRICA (Canan Moodie, 46 mins)

21:22 , Luke Baker

It’s another try for the Springboks! Manie Libbok at the heart of this one as the fly-half pings a pinpoint cross-field kick into the waiting arms of Canan Moodie.

From there, the winger skips outside his man and races over the line. The conversion is no good from Libbok but this has been an incredible start to the second half

TRY! Argentina 10-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Makazole Mapimpi, 42 mins)

21:20 , Luke Baker

Well, well, well. What a response by the 14-man Springboks (Franco Mostert still in the sin-bin) and they’re level.

Jesse Kriel on for Lukhanyo Am among the half-time changes and Kriel immediately involved as the Springboks make the perfect start with a try!

Kriel calls for the ball to the blindside and the Springboks have numbers to work the ball to Makazole Mapimpi for a simple run-in in the corner.

Manie Libbok faced with a tricky touchline conversion but he nails it - great kick.

KICK-OFF! Argentina 10-3 South Africa

21:16 , Luke Baker

Back underway in Buenos Aires. Can South Africa turn this one round?

HALF-TIME! Argentina 10-3 South Africa

21:06 , Luke Baker

HALF-TIME! Argentina 10-3 South Africa

20:59 , Luke Baker

Argentina have one final attack but it comes to nothing and that’s half-time. A good first half from the Pumas - they were second best early on but only conceded three points and then grew into the match.

Gonzalo Bertranou’s quick thinking from a tap and go secured the only try of the half and they lead 10-3 at the break.

Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 39 mins

20:57 , Luke Baker

Bertranou tries to set up for the box-kick at the back of the infernal caterpillar but Reinach sneaks round the side when it’s deemed the ball is out and smithers the attempt. Argentina hang on to possession and scramble clear shortly after but that was heads-up play by Reinach.

PENALTY! ARGENTINA 10-3 South Africa (Emiliano Boffelli, 37 mins)

20:55 , Luke Baker

Good kick by Boffelli. From the right of the posts, on about the ten-metre line and he nails it.

The Pumas move a converted try ahead.

SIN-BIN! Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 36 mins

20:54 , Luke Baker

Oh dear, an infringement at the lineout from Argentina and the ball is turned over. But then South Africa mess up a lineout of their own and the Pumas suddenly have a platform in opposition territory.

Play is stopped while we look at an off-the-ball tackle from Franco Mostert on Santiago Grondona ... And it’s 10 minutes in the sin-bin for Mostert. Boffelli will take a shot at the posts here for good measure.

Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 35 mins

20:51 , Luke Baker

Now Boffelli rises to claim a high ball but that’s a superb kick chase by the Boks who swarm the winger and force the turnover.

Both captains (and hookers) Mbonambi and Montoya warned by the referee on behalf of their teams following some post-play afters, instigated by Boffelli and Cobus Reinach. A bit of shirt-grabbing and snarling, you know the drill. It’s deemed that Reinach was more in the wrong so the penalty is overturned and the Pumas can kick to the corner

Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 33 mins

20:48 , Luke Baker

Great claim of the high ball by Santiago Carreras - the fly-half confidently rises to secure possession.

Second-rower Jean Kleyn - ex Ireland international, now back with South Africa - the latest man to receive treatment. He seems fine to continue though.

MISSED PENALTY! Argentina 7-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 30 mins)

20:45 , Luke Baker

A short delay while an Argentina player receives treatment but it’s a penalty to South Africa when we resume. Out on the left, on about the 22 and Manie Libbok goes for the posts.

Hmmm, for the second time this match he misses from the tee. Tries to bend one back in from the right but it sails wide of the right upright. Tougher than the first one he missed but still makeable.

Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 29 mins

20:42 , Luke Baker

Moroni drives back Lukhanyo Am in the tackle! Big hit! Juan Martin Gonzalez then gets enough of Willemse to make him put a foot in touch.

The Springboks have generally had the better of this first half but trail on the scoreboard.

Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 28 mins

20:41 , Luke Baker

South Africa with a great response to that Argentina try. They’re five metres away from the Argentina line after a lineout and maul.

But great defence! Pumas gets bodies under the ball as the Boks drive over the line and get the goal-line dropout.

Argentina 7-3 South Africa, 26 mins

20:39 , Luke Baker

A couple of action shots from the game so far. As I mentioned earlier - stunning kits!

TRY! ARGENTINA 7-3 South Africa (Gonzalo Bertranou, 23 mins)

20:36 , Luke Baker

Tight in the forwards for Argentina, good defence from South Africa but another penalty. AND GONZALO BERTRANOU CATCHES THEM NAPPING!

The Pumas scrum-half taps and goes from five metres, the Springboks aren’t set and it’s easy for him to squirt over the line for the try.

Boffelli’s conversion from out towards the right sails between the posts for a 7-3 lead.

Argentina 0-3 South Africa, 21 mins

20:34 , Luke Baker

Lineout secured and the Pumas probe at the Springboks five-metre line. Back for another penalty, this time the tap and go from Montoya to Gallo.

Two metres away now...

Argentina 0-3 South Africa, 20 mins

20:33 , Luke Baker

A good attacking platform for Argentina with a lineout but they make a mess of it and South Africa survive.

The Pumas then do run a few phases and Emiliano Boffelli has space down the right to make good ground. Penalty coming, kick to the corner and this is a golden opportunity for Argentina

PENALTY! Argentina 0-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Manie Libbok, 16 mins)

20:29 , Luke Baker

No mistake this time from Manie Libbok from the tee. A simple penalty from bang in front is converted and South Africa are good value for this early lead.

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 15 mins

20:28 , Luke Baker

South Africa racking up the phases but no way through the Pumas defensive line, so Andre Esterhuizen tries a chip that runs into touch.

Great run by Willemse as he returns a kick with interest and the Springboks are once again in a great attacking position. Moodie darts down the left but a brilliant tackle by Argentina debutant Martin Bogado to drag him into touch. A kick at the posts coming though for the Boks

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 13 mins

20:25 , Luke Baker

The Springboks force a defensive lineout right on the Argentina line when Marvin Orie charges down a clearance kick that then runs into touch but that’s well executed by the Pumas to clear their line.

Moodie impresses with ball in hand once again with a powerful run down the right and the Boks are quickly back with an attacking platform on the 22. Good disciplined defence from Argentina so far

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 10 mins

20:23 , Luke Baker

The Pumas scrum goes backwards but they fish the ball out the back to set up an attack just inside the South African half. Gonzalo Bertranou’s high box-lick angled towards the touchline cannons off Damian Willemse’s thigh as he tries to leave it, giving Argentina the lineout on the attacking 22.

But the attack quickly breaks down and South Africa can clear.

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 8 mins

20:21 , Luke Baker

A first chance to stretch their attacking legs from Argentina but a short Santiago Carreras pass is intercepted inside the South Africa half - miscommunication with his runner there. A knock-on ends the counter-attack though

MISSED PENALTY! Argentina 0-0 South Africa (Manie Libbok, 5 mins)

20:18 , Luke Baker

The Springboks get over the line but held up by desperate Argentina defence! Back for a penalty on five metres.

They go for the posts, Manie Libbok takes it back to the 22 but puts it wide! Wow, didn’t see that coming, a relatively straightforward kick drifts wide of the right upright. A let-off for Argentina.

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 3 mins

20:15 , Luke Baker

Great start from South Africa, they make good yards down the right through Canan Moodie and then quickly recycle the ball repeatedly in the 22. Keeping it tight with the forwards, steadily making ground and up to five metres.

Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 2 mins

20:13 , Luke Baker

These are two absolutely gorgeous kits by the way. South Africa is turquoise and white, which complement each other beautifully and Argentina wearing dark blue with a diagonal white sash across the front. A+ kits.

Early concern for the Pumas, centre Santiago Chocobares gets his head positioning all wrong in the tackle and suffers a nasty blow. He’s immediately off for a HIA with Matias Moroni on in his place.

KICK-OFF! Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 1 min

20:10 , Luke Baker

And we’re underway in Buenos Aires!

Argentina vs South Africa

20:09 , Luke Baker

We’re only a few minutes away from kick-off now in Buenos Aires and the players are out on to the pitch.

This should be a fascinating contest - the Pumas ran the Boks so close last week and no they’re on home soil, against a weakened South Africa team.

South Africa players with chance to shine for World Cup

19:57 , Luke Baker

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber wants to give as many players as possible an opportunity to break into the Springboks’ World Cup squad and this clash with the Pumas is the ideal proving ground.

“We’ve been emphasising the importance of giving as many players as possible a fair chance to show what they can do with an eye on finalising our Rugby World Cup squad,” Nienaber said.

“This is going to be a massive physical battle and there will be a lot of pressure on the players mentally and physically, which is exactly the type of situation we would like to see them in as we enter our World Cup warm-up games.

“There is not a player in our enlarged squad who is fully confident that he will be in the World Cup squad, so the competition for places is intense.”

Argentina train ahead of South Africa rematch

19:45 , Luke Baker

The Pumas have been training back in Argentina ahead of today’s rematch against the Springboks

Argentina’s Mallia gets two-week ban for challenge on Williams

19:35 , Luke Baker

Argentina full-back Juan Cruz Mallia has been handed a relatively light two-week ban for his challenge on South Africa’s Grant Williams in the first minute of last week’s Rugby Championship Test in Johannesburg.

Mallia clattered into the head of the Springboks scrumhalf after only 11 seconds of the match in an attempt to charge down a kick. Williams played no further part in the game, which South Africa won 22-21.

The 26-year-old outside back went unpunished on the pitch but was later cited and the SANZAAR judicial committee found him guilty of “reckless or dangerous” play, banning Mallia from playing until Aug. 19.

“The judicial committee considered the act of foul play was reckless, with a high degree of danger and had a considerable impact on the victim player,” read its judgement.

The judgement, though, said the committee had heard evidence from the referee and Argentina coach Michael Cheika about “how successful charge downs of kicks are viewed by match officials and as to how coaching of players is conducted as a consequence”.

“The committee decided that a mid-range sanction would be wholly disproportionate to the player’s fault and that the foul play merited a low-range entry point of 2 weeks,” the judgement continued.

Mallia will miss this today’s World Cup warm-up between Argentina and South Africa in Buenos Aires but will now be available for the Pumas’ crunch opening game of the tournament against Pool D rivals England in Marseille on Sept. 9.

Reuters

Argentina vs South Africa odds and prediction

19:20 , Luke Baker

Argentina vs South Africa odds

Argentina win 9/5

Draw 28/1

South Africa win 8/13

Prediction

Argentina squeeze past South Africa in a reversal of last week’s scoreline. Argentina 22-21 South Africa

South Africa team news

19:05 , Luke Baker

Fly-half Manie Libbok is the only member of the South Africa side that started last weekend to retain his place, with Jacques Nienaber electing to ring the changes. Damian Willemse takes over from Willie le Roux in the vital playmaking full-back role, while Cobus Reinach starts ahead of Herschel Jantjies at nine with Grant Williams recovering from that unfortunate incident last weekend.

Bongi Mbonambi becomes the 64th Springboks skipper, leading the side from the heart of the front row in a starting forwards unit that features the versatile Deon Fourie, who can also play hooker, on the openside. Replacement loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp is set to win a first cap.

South Africa XV: Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi (capt.), Thomas du Toit; Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie; Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese; Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok; Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhano Am, Canan Moodie; Damian Willemse.

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Jean-Luc du Preez, Evan Roos; Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Argentina team news

18:50 , Luke Baker

Agustin Creevy will make history as the first Argentine to win 100 international caps when he replaces captain Julian Montoya at hooker. Pedro Rubiolo is brought into the starting side in the place of Lucas Paulos, who was knocked out in South Africa last week, in the only change to the run-on pack. Gonzalo Bertranou is preferred to Lautaro Bazan Velez at scrum-half while Santiago Cordero makes his first appearance of the summer on the wing.

With Juan Cruz Mallia suspended after colliding with Grant Williams in Johannesburg, Martin Bogado is handed a debut, with Emiliano Boffelli also back amongst things in the back three and Guido Petti a handy returnee on the bench.

Argentina XV: Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt.), Francisco Gomez Kodela; Pedro Rubiolo, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Santiago Grondona, Juan Martin Gonzalez; Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras; Santiago Cordero, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Emiliano Boffelli; Martin Bogado.

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa; Lautaro Bazan Velez, Tomas Albornoz, Matias Moroni.

When is Argentina vs South Africa and how can I watch?

18:35 , Luke Baker

When is Argentina vs South Africa?

Argentina vs South Africa is due to kick off at 8.10pm BST this evening at the José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage on the channel from 8pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via the Sky Go app.

South Africa edge past Argentina in Rugby Championship finale

18:20 , Luke Baker

These two sides met a week ago and here’s what happened.

Fly-half Manie Libbok scored a breakaway try against the run of play to secure South Africa a bruising 22-21 victory over Argentina and earn a second-place finish in the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park.

The Springboks had to withstand heavy Argentine pressure, some of their own making through poor execution, but managed to grind out the win as they also scored tries through lock Eben Etzebeth and centre Damian de Allende.

Argentina were in the contest all the way but battled to break down the resolute home defence and got tries late on through wing Mateo Carreras and replacement Gonzalo Bertranou as the visitors pushed for what would have been a first-ever win in Johannesburg.

New Zealand claimed the Rugby Championship trophy earlier in the day with a comprehensive 38-7 victory over Australia in Melbourne but the Boks’ victory sees them end second, with Argentina in third.

Argentina vs South Africa live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up on TV

18:01 , Luke Baker

After almost beating the Springboks in Johannesburg last weekend, Argentina host South Africa in Buenos Aires looking for a momentum-building victory ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

It will be a significant occasion for Argentine rugby with hooker Agustin Creevy set to become the first Pumas player to win 100 caps when he comes off the bench.

With both head coaches due to name their final World Cup squads early next week, this is a final chance for many of those on the cut line to try and earn a place.

“We’ve been emphasising the importance of giving as many players as possible a fair chance to show what they can do with an eye on finalising our Rugby World Cup squad,” Jacques Nienaber, South Africa’s head coach, said this week. “This is going to be a massive physical battle and there will be a lot of pressure on the players mentally and physically, which is exactly the type of situation we would like to see them in as we enter our World Cup warm-up games.”

Here’s everything you need to know:

Argentina vs South Africa live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up on TV

Argentina vs South Africa - Rugby World Cup warm-up

Friday 4 August 2023 16:55 , Luke Baker

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Rugby World Cup warm-up clash in Buenos Aires between Argentina and South Africa

With the naming of squads for next month’s tournament edging ever closer, players on both sides will be desperate to impress their head coaches and book a spot on the plane to France.

Stick with us for full live coverage of the contest.