DURBAN – Argentina captain Augustin Creevy believes the Springbok physicality tipped the scales as they succumbed to a 34-21 loss at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
The visitors grabbed a surprise 14-10 half-time lead before the strength of the Springboks both with and without ball in hand proved too much for Creevy’s men.
The Springboks – bolstered by the return of Malcolm Marx and Eben Etzebeth – turned on the power and style in the second period as they stretched their advantage to claim a bonus point win.
Creevy, however, was left to lament his side’s inability to secure good first-phase ball as the start of the downfall as the South Africans began to dominate territory.
“We lost a lot of lineouts and scrums in the second half which made it hard to compete,” he said after the game.
“We turned over too much possession ... but that happens and we just have to say well done.”
South Africa travel to Argentina for next Saturday’s return leg encounter, likely to be an even more physical one with the combat areas a major source of frustration for Creevy this week.
“It’s really tough, every game is really tough in this competition. South Africa, we know, they have so many strong guys and we couldn’t stop their momentum today. That’s something we need to work on.”