South Africa defeat Pumas in Rugby championship debut

Zane Kirchner, Marcell Coetzee and Bryan Habana grabbed tries as South Africa defeated Argentina 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 Hernández.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand beat Australia 27-19 at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

It was the Pumas' debut in the  elite tournament, formerly known as the TriNations, as the national rugby squad has gotten more and more competitive and improved in the last 10 years, including a 3rd place in the 2007 France world cup.

Lineups:

South Africa: Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis; Eben Etzabeth, Andries Bekker; Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Keegan Daniel; Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn; Lwazi Mvovo, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana; Zane Kircher. Coach: Heyneke Meye

Argentina: Rodrigo Roncero, Eusebio Guiñazú, Juan Figallo; Manuel Carizza, Patricio Albacete; Julio Farías, Álvaro Galindo, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (captain); Nicolás Vergallo, Juan Martín Hernández; Horacio Agulla, Santiago Fernández, Marcelo Bosch, Gonzalo Camacho; Lucas González Amorosino. Coach: Santiago Phelan

Kickoff: 12 pm

 Tv: ESPN+