Springboks prove their character

South Africa - 34 Argentina - 23: A second-half comeback saved South Africa from an upset defeat when they clawed their way to victory over Argentina in their first Test of the November series on Saturday.

The Springboks scored 18 points to three after the interval to overturn a 20-16 half-time deficit after they had been stung by three first-half tries from the Pumas.

Outhalf Felipe Contepomi tormented the Springboks, peppering them with up-and-unders and causing as many problems with his direct running, making two of their three tries.

Flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored the first, brushing through one tackle from 10 metres in the 17th minute.

Contepomi's finely judged kick to the left-hand corner after the Pumas ran a quickly taken penalty from their own 22 set up wing Francisco Leonelli for a simple touchdown seven minutes later.

Although the Springboks hit back with a finely worked try of their own through Percy Montgomery, the Pumas ended the half in the ascendancy when Contepomi surged through a tackle just outside the Springbok 22 to give the scoring pass to his brother Manuel five metres short of the line.

Montgomery had kicked three penalties as well as converting his try to keep South Africa in touch.

South Africa took the lead a minute into the second half and never looked like losing control even though they lost their only regular outhalf, Andre Pretorius, to injury in the first half.

Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie broke quickly down the side of a ruck and got in behind the Argentine defence to set up centre Jaque Fourie for the try.

Montgomery converted and kicked a penalty to complete a 10-point swing in the opening minutes of the half and although the Springboks were reduced to 14 men when centre Jean de Villiers was yellow-carded, Argentina rarely threatened. Conradie kicked a snap drop-goal but the clinching score came in the 72nd minute when flanker Juan Smith's try stretched the lead beyond a converted try for the first time.

Contepomi said: "It was a shame we let the match slip because we couldn't take our chances at key moments but we have to take the positive aspects, analyse the match and keep improving. Let's not forget that South Africa are one of the best teams in the world, if not the best."

SCORERS: Argentina: Tries: Juan Manuel Leguizamon (17), Francisco Leonelli (24), Manuel Contepomi (40) Conversion: Manuel Contepomi (40) Penalties: Felipe Contepomi (5, 50). South Africa: Tries: Percy Montgomery (32), Fourie Du Preez (41), Juan Smith (72) Conversions: Percy Montgomery (33, 42) Drop Goal: Johannes Conradie (54) Penalties: Andre Pretorius (8), Percy Montgomery (14, 28, 45).