Van Straaten nerve holds for Boks victory
Buenos Aires
November 12, 2000

South Africa kept up their fine record in Argentina with a 37-33 Test victory but it was a titanic struggle at the River Plate Stadium.

Gonzalo Quesada kicked the Pumas into an early lead but missed a second penalty attempt from the half-way line.

The Boks responded with a try nicely worked after a line-out take from Albert van den Berg. Centre Grant Esterhuizen took it on, then Robbie Fleck made a break before Thinus Delport came into the line and sent Breyton Paulse away for the score.

Paulse soon grabbed his second try after the Bok forwards followed up a charge by Percy Montgomery and Venter and Corne Krige set up the Western Province flyer to score at the posts, Montgomery converting for 12-3.

The Pumas needed a swift riposte and they got it when centre Jose Orengo got in at the corner for a try converted by Quesada.

Argentina's attempts to disrupt the Boks line-out only succeeded in conceding a couple of penalties gratefully seized upon by Joost van der Westhuizen, but his opposite number Agustin Pichot was also looking lively around the base of the Pumas' scrum.

But it was Delport again who made the vital link for the Boks' third try, with a break towards the home 22, and the ball was recycled for Paulse to send in 65-cap second row Mark Andrews. Montgomery converted and the Boks led 19-10.

More pressure kept the Pumas back-pedalling and South Africa scented some breathing space when Braam van Straaten bundled over for their fourth try, his first in a Test.

But Argentina regained a foothold in the match with two more penalties in the closing minutes of the first half by Quesada, the top points scorer from last year's World Cup, and they trailed 16-24 at the interval.

Delport was penalised for holding onto the ball in his own 22, giving Quesada a chance to bring the Pumas back to within five points early in the second half, which he accepted.

But the outside-half missed a subsequent shot at the posts which might have had Boks nerves jangling, and the tourists took full advantage by creating their fifth try.

Again Paulse was prominent in the move before Van der Westhuizen sent Fleck through for the score converted by Montgomery.

Signs of frustration were apparent with Puma prop Mauricio Reggiardo penalised, and after several passages of play with no addition to the score, the veteran tighthead was replaced by Roberto Grau.

Argentina gathered themselves for a final effort and were rewarded after 74 minutes when Gonzalo Longo took a line-out, the Pumas drove up the middle, and Quesada slipped replacement Felipe Contepomi through for a try at the posts converted by Quesada.

Van Straaten's penalty goal for Pumas' offside at a ruck edged the Boks out to a 34-26 lead but the home side were not done yet. Montgomery hacked ahead with the aim of keeping Argentina pinned back but good work by Pumas skipper Lisandro Arbizu, Orengo and Pichot set up Eduardo Simone for a fine try converted by Quesada.

At 33-34 the River Plate crowd were baying for blood, but another Van Straaten penalty for hands in the ruck settled it for the relieved Boks.

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