Moodie leads way to good Bok win

There were a clutch of fringe players that stood up, but none shone more brightly than young wing Canan Moodie as the Springboks continued their build-up to the Rugby World Cup with a good 24-13 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

It was an impressive win from the South Africans on a night where they were far from full strength on paper, but overall far more dominant than they were when the Boks squeaked to a one-point win over the Pumas in the final Castle Lager Rugby Championship game in Johannesburg a week ago.

Their winning margin would have been far more comprehensive were it not for a Jekyll and Hyde contribution from the kicking tee from fly-half Manie Libbok, who sometimes makes a habit of making easy meat of the difficult kicks from all angles and distances but then struggling with the kicks a prop would kick over nine times out of 10 on a good day.

The Boks started off strongly before fading a bit in the first half, but still reached half-time having enjoyed 60% dominance in both the territory and possession stakes.

So, it would have been concerning for them that they trailed by seven points (10-3) at the halfway mark of a match where both teams played in outfits that looked far removed from the jerseys and colours that they are usually identified with.

Had they been called the Spearmint Springboks it would have been fitting, with their peppermint green and white checkered shirts a far cry from the green and gold, or even the alternative white jersey.

The Pumas were not in their pale blue and white hoops, but in a dark blue jersey.

But while they weren’t dressed like Boks, they produced a far more impressive performance than the team that played in Johannesburg. The team, for understandable reasons, is changed liberally each week, and that would probably have contributed to the inability to convert the possession and territory dominance of the first half.

Taking their opportunities

But what was always writ large was the influence of some of the players who’d have been using this game as a trial opportunity, in fact, a final trial, for the Bok Rugby World Cup squad that will be named tomorrow. Moodie led the way with his willingness to look for work and find it, his composure and poise under the high ball, and his strength in the tackle.

He was also on hand to seize on a pinpoint crosskick from Libbok to score the try that put the visitors ahead for the first time in the 45th minute.

That was after an impressive charge from Damian Willemse put Makazole Mapimpi in for his try as Libbok levelled the scores with probably his best kick of the night from the left touchline.

Mapimpi was much better in Buenos Aires than he was in Auckland against the All Blacks a few weeks ago, and Willemse also stood up as Mbongi Mbonambi’s men won the all-important aerial battle.

Up front, Deon Fourie was outstanding at openside flank and must surely travel with the Boks as a dual cover of both hooker and loose-forward, with his Stormers team-mate Joseph Dweba, who was also good when he came on, possibly losing out to the veteran’s versatility.

Libbok must also surely have booked his place at the World Cup squad with his all-around game, but his kicking from the tee may to some extent sum up the Boks so far in this international season - inconsistent.

He nailed the ones you might not have expected him to kick, but missed the ones you might have expected him to succeed with had he been blindfolded.

The Pumas place kicker Emiliano Boffelli by contrast was on target with his easy and difficult kicks, although his 51st-minute kick to cut the score to 15-13 was more the former than the latter.

Libbok’s kick to put his team out of sight was of the more difficult variety, and he kicked two more to atone for his earlier misses as the Boks’ control was translated into a slew of penalties in their favour.

Scores

South Africa - 24

Tries: Moodie and Mapimpi;

Conversion: Libbok;

Penalties: Libbok (4).

Argentina - 13

Try: Gonzalo Bertranou,

Conversion: Boffelli;

Penalties: Boffelli.