Cameron Hanekom finished with 13 carries for 82 metres and the match-clinching try as the Springboks scrapped their way to a 17-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires. It was not a performance built for the highlight reel elsewhere on the field, but the Bulls loose forward gave Rassie Erasmus something to build on in his first Test start at number eight.
The Springboks lost captain Siya Kolisi to injury inside the opening minutes, and the disruption showed. Argentina led 10-3 for most of the first half after Benjamin Grondona ran in untouched from an offload, with the world champions struggling to find any rhythm in the kicking game or at the lineout.
Cameron Hanekom was the standout amid the wider struggle, doing the unglamorous work while several of the Springboks’ bigger names misfired:
He also won a crucial breakdown penalty in the 29th minute, relieving pressure at a point when Argentina were firmly on top. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu struggled to find his usual game-breaking touch, and Andre Esterhuizen coughed up early turnovers before finding his feet.
Right on half-time, the Springboks hit back. Canan Moodie released Aphelele Fassi, who sent Edwill van der Merwe away down the right edge to score untouched. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion levelled it 10-10 at the break.
The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute. Handre Pollard’s kick found the Argentina 22, and from the resulting lineout the ball worked through to Cameron Hanekom, who crashed over from close range. Pollard’s conversion made it 17-10, and that scoreline held.
Argentina were not finished. A 14-phase attack in the final minute ended with Matías Moroni put into space in the corner, only for a high pass to slip through his hands and into touch. The chance was gone, and so was the Test.
The Springboks won all seven of their scrums, a platform built by the whole pack that mattered more than the scoreboard suggests on a night when little else clicked. Cameron Hanekom, who was replaced in the 77th minute after nearly eighty minutes of work, was the standout individual contribution in a collective effort that got the job done.
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🗣️ “It’s great to have him back, firing on all cylinders after that nasty injury. He’s going to take some serious strides in this historic Erasmus setup!” – 🎙️Jay
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With the All Blacks now on the horizon, Erasmus will know his frontline stars need to find another gear. Cameron Hanekom has already shown he belongs in that conversation.
📸 Images via SA Rugby / Springboks
