Rugby Championship: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus rues errors in shock Argentina defeat
A late penalty could have won them the game, but South Africa can still win the title if they get one point from the return match next week
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus refused to blame Manie Libbok for the surprise 29-28 Rugby Championship defeat in Argentina on Saturday after the fly-half missed a kick from virtually in front of the posts to win the game.
The loss keeps the Rugby Championship title race alive, though the Springboks will need just a point from their return meeting with Argentina at home in Nelspruit next Saturday when the destination of the trophy will be decided.
The Pumas themselves could win the title, but will have to beat South Africa with a bonus point and prevent the Springboks securing any points.
“We made too many mistakes at crucial times and Argentina took their chances,” Erasmus told reporters. “If it wasn’t for a missed kick, we would have had smiles sitting here now.
“But if we had done the things we should have in the game, it would not have come down to that one kick. We lost line-outs and made other errors. It was not a great display from us.
“I was so hoping he [Libbok] would kick that penalty over and he had been kicking so well all week. But it is the pressure.
