Making the right calls

Frans Steyn was happy with his team's victory at Newlands on Saturday but not with the quality of their performance or their decision-making.

Speaking after South Africa had beaten Argentina 27-6 in their opening Rugby Championship match, Steyn said found the game a bit frustrating because preparation had been good and they had hoped to perform better. The players looked forward to a match in which they really succeeded in putting it all together

The team had come close and were perhaps two movements away from scoring or from turning in a big performance, but could not finish.

"At the moment we're putting teams under pressure but then allowing them to get back into the game," he said. "We've got to learn to finish when we have the opportunity and to put sides away."

"Argentina defended well, but I think at times our decision-making was incorrect.

"There were times when we could have used the ball in the backline but we kicked it or kept it amongst the forwards.

"There are quite a few things for us to work on. It's a long competition, and I think it's better to have started like this rather than to have begun at 100 miles per hour. We know we have things to work on in the weeks ahead."

Steyn described his 50th Test cap as "an honour and privilege",

"It wasn't a good performance but if I win I always smile and am happy. I think I learned that in France. If you win, you take it; it doesn't matter how you win!

"I'm very happy. I'm glad we won. They've got a good team with some great players. We've got to give them credit."

Steyn said he had never been to Mendoza, so it would be a new experience for him, but he expected a tough match.

"Good teams have come short there, but we now know what to expect from Argentina and we'll try again next week to give our best. We're all looking forward to the trip and are very keen to turn in a good performance next Saturday.

Commenting on the injury to Bismarck du Plessis, Steyn said: "I think everyone feels disappointed about it but that's rugby; it's a contact sport. We can just pray for a quick recovery for him, and we hope to see him back soon.

But it's also a big opportunity for the players who come in as replacements for him. It's a big chance for them to prove a point and play their way into the team."

By Len Kaplan, at Newlands