South Africa vs Argentina player ratings: Eben Etzebeth and Francois louw star for Springboks but Bryan Habana draws a blank

Man for man marking from the Rugby World Cup bronze final

Jack de Menezes

Olympic Stadium

Saturday 31 October 2015 00:10

JP Pietersen scores a try for South Africa

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South Africa had enough in the tank to see of Argentina and claim bronze in the Rugby World Cup thanks to a 24-13 victory at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

An early try from the wing JP Pietersen put the Springboks into a lead they would not relinquish, and with scrum-half Tomas Cubelli sin-binned early for a cynical penalty, fly-half Handre Pollard kept the scoreboard ticking with three further penalties.

In fact, Argentina did not get on the score board until after half-time when Nicolas Sanchez landed a low drop-goal, but immediately South Africa responded with Eben Etzebeth going over in the left corner, although Bryan Habana’s try-giving pass looked suspiciously forward.

Habana was having a nightmare though. He missed three chances to score in the first half and the stadium was left stunned when he was replaced by Jan Serfontein with well over 10 minutes remaining, ending any chance of him beating Jonah Lomu’s World Cup try scoring record of 15.

Argentina did get over the try line at least as replacement prop Juan Pablo Orlandi barged his way over.

So how did the players perform? Click on the gallery below to find out.

South Africa 24 Argentina 13 player ratings

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1/30South Africa 24 Argentina 13 player ratings

He kicked well from hand to pin Argentina back on the counter and fed Pietersen with a precise pass for the first try.

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Took his score exceptionally well as he beat Agulla on the outside before staying in bounds to touch down in the corner. Quiet thereafter, as he stayed out on his wing too often.

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Ran very strongly and always managed to cross the gainline. Faced a few problems in Moroni’s running but on the whole did well.

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Showed a liking to cutting back on the inside that wasted space out wide. Tackled very strongly though.

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Not the way he will have wanted to bow out of the World Cup. Spurned three chances in the first half as he couldn’t touch the ball down before Amorosino, dropped a ball onto his own head and took down Cordero in a race for the ball, and strangely replaced in the second half to end any hopes of breaking Jonah Lomu’s World Cup try-scoring record.

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Was kicking very well until he hit the upright from a simple position. Followed up the error by missing touch immediately after, but a beautiful break in the first-half to set up Habana was great to watch.

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Impressive box-kicking to pin Argentina’s talented back-three kept South Africa going forward and he was a constant thorn in the side of his opposite number Cubelli.

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Had a strong start to the game with two early carries and a solid scrum, but forced off at the break with Trevor Nyakane on in his place.

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A good shift but his coaches will have wanted to see more carrying from the powerful hooker. Unflappable in the lineout though.

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Another good shift from the tightside as he asserted himself on Puma pack.

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Really strong running gave the South Africans inroads in the Puma defence. He was on hand out wide to score the second try despite a dubious pass from Habana.

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Rolled back the years with a neat break in the second half that saw him sprint for the try line. Dominant in the air and the ovation for him as he went off shows how well he is loved by the Springbok faithful.

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Brilliant at the breakdown as he repeatedly disrupted or turned the ball over. Caught offside twice in quick succession after the break, although that didn’t take away from his performance on the floor. Needed more treatment on the head injury he suffered last week.

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Off he went into international retirement – we think – as he waved goodbye to the crowd, only to come back on for a blood replacement. Took a big hit from Montoya early on, but he wouldn’t want his leaving present any different.

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A bit quiet on all fronts as he didn’t carry as much as we’ve grown used to. Strong in defence though.

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Helped his side out when Habana looked through for a try as he beat the flyer to touch the ball down first. Tried to come into the line where available but chances were limited.

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Brilliant break in the first half saw him dart all of 30 metres only to lose the ball. He continued to probe without success, but has been one of the attacking players of the tournament.

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Argentina’s best player on the night by a long way. He always looked a threat when he got the ball and his ability to change direction immediately saw him break through the line.

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Few chances with the ball although he did create those for Moroni to attack with. Left early in the second half though as he was replaced by Juan Pablo Socino.

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Rounded far too easily by JP Pietersen for the try but he improved afterwards and had a break of his own that needed covering.

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Looked like a man with all the talent to lead a fightback but few options to work with as a number of his go-to men were missing from the match. Kicked faultlessly though and has enjoyed a phenomenally successful tournament.

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Got his chance to shine but disappointed a little. He was not fast enough from the breakdown which saw him caught on occasion.

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Replaced more times he’s had hot dinners as he struggled to stem a blood injury. Stood firm against Malherbe and later Jannie du Plessis.

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Had the mammoth task of replacing the skipper Augustin Creevy and didn’t do himself any harm. Defended well and strong throwing in the lineout.

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Struggled to cope with the pressure in the scrum in the second half although stood firm in the first.

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Disappointed on his chance in the first team as he failed to have an impact with the ball in hand. Did well in the lineout, but needed to up his work rate.

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His most defining moment came when he and Etzebeth got to know each other a little more with a lengthy spat that saw the Puma walk backwards into the advertising hoarding. Played well though and was a prominent figure in gaining the hard yards around the ruck.

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Not as athletic as the man he replaced, Pablo Matera, and that saw Argentina come off second best in the breakdown as they were simply too slow to reach it.

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Tried his heart out all tournament but by the end looked a man ready for international retirement. Standing ovation was a fitting tribute for an Argentinean rugby great.

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Ran hard and made good yardage but spurned a chance in the first-half when he had Cordero outside him in space.

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Who do you think was the man of the match? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

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