South Africa 27-6 Argentina, Rugby Championship
Meyer calls on Boks to improve
ESPN Staff
August 18, 2012
South Africa's Bryan Habana takes the high ball, South Africa v Argentina, The Rugby Championship, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, August 18, 2012
Bryan Habana scored South Africa's third try © Getty Images
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Heyneke Meyer called on his side to improve next week after seeing the Springboks beat tournament newcomers Argentina 27-6 in Cape Town on Saturday.

Tries from Bryan Habana, Marcell Coetzee and Zane Kirchner gave the Boks the win with Morne Steyn contributing the rest of the points with the boot. Despite the win taking them to the top of the Rugby Championship table, Meyer wants his team to step it up a gear next week in Argentina against the Pumas.

"I would like us to have got the four tries that would have given us a bonus point," Meyer told Supersport. "But this is Test rugby and tries don't come that easily. I felt we could have finished better than we did, although the team is improving.

"I was really pleased that the Pumas, who played passionately, weren't able to score against us. I was concerned about our defence and in this game we improved (on the England series)."

Fly-half Steyn was superb for the Boks with him keeping the scoreboard ticking over from the tee and also executing the cross-kick for Habana's try superbly. Steyn was under pressure going into the match after struggling against England but Meyer was delighted with his performance. Meyer said: "He responded the way I expected of him. He worked hard to get back to his best and was rewarded tonight".

Meyer's praise for Steyn was also echoed by skipper Jean de Villiers. "He did not deserve the flak he was getting, but proved those critics wrong with a very good display," he said. "I am also very happy for Frans Steyn, who played in his 50th test match. And we can cap two more Springboks in JJ Engelbrecht and Pat Cilliers, another great occasion."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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