Three-try S. Africa too strong for Argentina

CAPE TOWN – Zane Kirchner, Marcell Coetzee and Bryan Habana grabbed tries as South Africa brushed Argentina aside 27-6 at Newlands on Saturday in their opening match in the inaugural Rugby Championship.The Springbok pack did not yield in defence against the massive opposition forwards and their strong ball-carriers won enough momentum to dominate territory and possession.Flyhalf Morne Steyn steered South Africa to victory, booting three conversions and two penalties and also helping to set up two of the three tries.Argentina’s points came from two penalties by flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez.South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said the other teams in the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand and Australia, should not take the South Americans lightly.“Full credit to them,” Meyer told reporters. “People underestimate Argentina but they play great rugby, they are going to do well in the tournament.“Those 15 opponents in blue made it impossible for us to get four tries and a bonus point. Argentina belong in this company and they will be tough to beat.”Two incisive attacks down the flanks by wings Habana and Lwazi Mvovo created an early penalty by Steyn but the home side were rocked when hooker Bismarck du Plessis went off with a knee injury.

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Three-try S. Africa too strong for Argentina