South Africa 25-37 Argentina, Rugby Championship
Argentina shock Springboks for historic victory in Durban
ESPN Staff
August 8, 2015
Date/Time: Aug 8, 2015, 17:05 local, 15:05 GMT
Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban
South Africa 25 - 37 Argentina
Attendance: 27447  Half-time: 13 - 27
Tries: de Jager, Habana, le Roux
Cons: Pollard 2
Pens: Pollard 2
Tries: Bosch, Imhoff 3
Cons: Hernandez 4
Pens: Bosch, Hernandez
Drops: Bosch
Argentina's lock Tomas Lavanini (R) during the Rugby Championship Test match between South Africa and Argentina at Kings Park stadium in Durban on August 8, 2015.
Tomas Lavanini and Argentina took the game to the Springboks
© Getty Images
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Argentina earned their first-ever Test victory over the Springboks with a stunning 37-25 victory in Durban, which saw Heyneke Meyer's side finish bottom of the Rugby Championship.

Juan Imhoff scored a marvellous hat-trick for the Pumas who, at the 20th attempt, finally beat the Boks: how fitting it would come on the day the Pumas remembered their first tour of South Africa 50 years on.

For South Africa, Saturday's defeat at Kings Park poses serious questions ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign; the Springboks have still yet to win a Test in 2015 and, once again, looked unconvincing. However, they will be buoyed by the return of captain Jean de Villiers, eight months after he suffered a horrendous knee injury against Wales in Cardiff.

Argentina flew out of the blocks and scored a try inside the opening minutes. Quick work from the lineout saw the ball move inside, before Imhoff offloaded perfectly for Marcelo Bosch to advance and dive across the line. Juan Martin Hernandez converted without trouble.

South Africa 25-37 Argentina (video available in Australia only)

Handre Pollard hit back with a penalty, before the Pumas moved further clear after 22 minutes. Tomas Cubelli pivoted brilliantly through the South African backline and handed the ball to Imhoff, who raced clear to cross the whitewash for his first.

Hernandez added the extras but, once again, Pollard struck back from the tee shortly after. However, it got worse for the home side on the half hour mark. Leonardo Sonetore capitalised quickly off the back of an Argentina scrum and sent the ball to Cubelli, who found Imhoff racing along the touchline for an easy score. Hernandez extended the lead, before the Springboks finally responded.

Lood de Jager's powerful drive to the line gave the home crowd their first try to cheer, which Pollard converted. However, any momentum quickly evaporated as the Springboks were made to rue their mistakes. Hernandez added another three points from the boot shortly before Bosch's long penalty gave Argentina a 27-13 lead at the break.

The Pumas started the second half in similar fashion to the first: with a try. However, Imhoff's hat-trick effort was hugely controversial. Referee Romain Poite waved play on while medics remained in South Africa territory. Hernandez took full advantage with a quick penalty, before offloading to Imhoff to cross in the corner. Argentina's fly-half followed up with another conversion to further extend their advantage.

Incensed, South Africa roared into life. Willie le Roux caught a high ball and, following neat play from De Villiers and Jesse Kriel, the fullback turned on the afterburners to race clear. Pollard added the points from a tight angle to reduce the deficit to 14.

However, Argentina's perseverance paid off just after the hour mark. Following good work in the ruck from Cubelli, Hernandez found Bosch, who struck a perfect drop goal between the posts.

South Africa were dealt a further blow when Marcell Coetzee limped off heavily on 66 minutes, before replacement Cobus Reinach thought he had gone over for a try with just eight minutes left on the clock. However, referee Poire consulted the TMO before pulling it back for an earlier infringement.

Pablo Matera was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, meaning Argentina would have to see out victory with 14 men. However, despite Bryan Habana's late consolation try, the Pumas held for a historic triumph in Durban.

The Argentina players celebrate their first ever Test win over South Africa © Getty Images
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