Player ratings: Redemption
The Pumas regained lost pride in their narrow 17-22 defeat to the much vaunted Springboks in Mendoza on Saturday.
A week removed from a humiliating 60-point drubbing, Argentina displayed superior passion and hunger on home soil and pushed South Africa to the limit.
They overstepped the boundaries on occasions, with allegations of eye-gouging and biting from the bruised Bok camp, yet it remains a near unfathomable turnaround.
Very much like the Springboks benefited from “Madiba magic” a week ago, so the Pumas were inspired by “Mendoza magic.”
Quintin van Jaarsveld rates the Pumas players.
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
Although he missed a tackle, he asked plenty of questions of the Springbok defence with ball in hand.
6.5/10
14 Gonzalo Camacho
Exceptional first half, in which he made eight runs, but fatigued in the second stanza.
6.5/10
13 Marcelo Bosch
A standout performer in the No.13 jersey, making 10 runs, beating four defenders and scoring a well-deserved try that sent the crowd into raptures.
7.5/10
12 Felipe Contepomi (captain)
Blew hot and cold as his attempted clearance resulted in the Springboks’ only try and he missed a straightforward penalty. Perhaps did his best work off the field in rallying his troops in the build-up to the return match.
6/10
11 Horacio Agulla
Quiet out on the left wing, especially in comparison with Camacho.
6/10
10 Nicolás Sánchez
Good variation to his game and made some telling runs.
6.5/10
9 Martín Landajo
Much more on point with his tactical-kicking game that proved to be a weapon and made a couple of sniping breaks.
6.5/10
8 Leonardo Senatore
Not as proficient or aggressive as his fellow loose forwards.
6/10
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón
Ever present and abrasive, he carried the ball strongly all match, including when he spun out of a couple of tackles to score his try.
7.5/10
6 Pablo Matera
Played the enforcer role with aplomb. He led the Pumas’ charge at the breakdown, an area they dominated, charged into the traffic with reckless abandon with 10 carries and topped the hosts’ tackle stats (nine).
8/10
5 Mariano Galarza
Used his offloading ability to keep the momentum going as he battled to breach the gainline.
6/10
4 Julio Farías Cabello
Brought stability to the line-out but conceded three penalties, one for taking out his opposite number in the air.
5.5/10
3 Juan Figallo
The switch to his preferred position at tighthead did little to halt the Springbok scrum and he ultimately conceded three penalties.
5/10
2 Eusebio Guiñazú
Made amends for last weekend’s shambolic showing with a faultless effort in the line-outs and made several hit-ups.
7/10
1 Marcos Ayerza
Conceded two penalties, including the one that gave the Springboks the lead with nine minutes to go.
5.5/10
Replacements:
16 Agustín Creevy (on for Guiñazú, 66th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Nahuel Lobo
Not used.
18 Matías Díaz
Not used.
19 Tomas Lavaninni (on for Galarza, 74th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Benjamin Macome (on for Senatore, 61st minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Tomás Cubelli (on for Landajo, 57th minute)
A needless skew scrum feed on arrival set the tone for his flat cameo.
5/10
22 Santiago Fernández (on for Contepomi, 48th minute)
Brought little to the table other than a few tackles in midfield.
5.5/10
23 Joaquin Tuculet
Not used.
