Argentina hold Springboks to 10-10 at half-time in Buenos Aires rugby international

Argentina and South Africa were level at 10-10 at half-time in a fiercely contested rugby international in Buenos Aires, with the Springboks scoring through Edwill van der Merwe just before the interval after Los Pumas had taken control of the opening exchanges.

Kick-off was scheduled for 21:00, with live updates continuing throughout the match. The latest action is below.

Live updates

54 minutes: Several replacements have now been introduced by South Africa.

52 minutes: Andre Esterhuizen is held up over the line. Argentina defend superbly, although the Springboks centre perhaps chose the wrong option. The home side are awarded a goal-line drop-out.

50 minutes: Aphele­le Fassi produces an excellent kick which almost beats the Argentina defence to the line. Los Pumas win the race and force a goal-line drop-out.

46 minutes: Santiago Carreras strikes the upright.

44 minutes: Lood de Jager’s pass is intercepted, allowing Argentina to break clear and win a penalty. Los Pumas opt to kick at goal.

43 minutes: South Africa are awarded a penalty after Edwill van der Merwe moved quickly in defence and Canan Moodie got over the ball. Argentina are penalised for failing to release. The Springboks have a lineout on the Argentina 10-metre line.

41 minutes: Argentina are penalised early in the second half after Cameron Hanekom makes contact in the air from the kick-off.

40 minutes: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu restarts the match.

Half-time: Argentina 10-10 Springboks

South Africa have looked disjointed, with inaccurate execution and several box-kicks travelling too far. Argentina have played with considerable energy and passion, but the Springboks’ late try has brought them level.

There is concern for South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, who left the field with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.

Cameron Hanekom has been a standout performer for the Springboks. He has won a turnover, made several powerful tackles and carried strongly.

39 minutes: Try for South Africa. The score comes from an unexpected attack as the Springboks move the ball quickly through the hands. Andre Esterhuizen produces an excellent offload, Canan Moodie draws the full-back and sends Edwill van der Merwe clear. The conversion is successful.

33 minutes: Argentina’s kick-pass reaches its intended target, but South Africa scramble effectively before Los Pumas knock the ball on.

31 minutes: The Springboks attack again, but Argentina win a penalty after South Africa are penalised for playing the ball from an offside position.

30 minutes: South Africa are awarded another penalty after Cameron Hanekom gets over the ball. The visitors choose a lineout.

28 minutes: Argentina threaten, but Eben Etzebeth makes a huge tackle before an excellent counter-ruck allows South Africa to regain possession.

26 minutes: Argentina secure the lineout and clear downfield after more inaccuracy from the Springboks.

25 minutes: Siya Kolisi leaves the field as South Africa prepare for an attacking lineout.

25 minutes: Argentina collapse the South African maul and concede a further penalty. The Springboks opt to attack again.

24 minutes: The television match official checks a possible no-arms tackle by Argentina. South Africa are awarded a penalty.

23 minutes: South Africa improve their attacking work but knock on close to the Argentina line. Kolisi has been prominent, making several powerful carries.

20 minutes: The Springboks put together several phases, but Argentina’s defence holds firm. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu then attempts a drop goal which hits the upright.

17 minutes: South Africa kick in behind the Argentina defence, but the ball travels too far. Los Pumas mark it and clear upfield.

15 minutes: The scrum goes better for South Africa and Argentina are penalised for collapsing it.

15 minutes: Argentina throw a large forward pass while attempting to release the ball towards the touchline. The resulting scrum gives South Africa some relief.

14 minutes: Argentina win another penalty after Lood de Jager is ruled offside. Los Pumas return to the Springboks’ 22-metre area.

11 minutes: South Africa knock the ball on while attacking. The visitors have lacked accuracy in the opening stages.

9 minutes: Try for Argentina. A well-executed offload creates space for Benjamin Grondona, who slices through untouched. Santiago Carreras converts.

Argentina 10-3 Springboks

8 minutes: At the first scrum of the match, Argentina win a penalty after Thomas du Toit goes down. Los Pumas set up an attacking lineout.

7 minutes: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks South Africa’s first penalty from directly in front of the posts.

Argentina 3-3 Springboks

6 minutes: South Africa are awarded a penalty after Pablo Matera interferes with Cobus Reinach before the scrum-half can clear the ball. The Springboks choose to kick at goal.

4 minutes: Argentina attempt to run the ball from every position, but Cameron Hanekom makes a huge tackle on Geronimo Prisciantelli and the resulting pass goes straight into touch.

3 minutes: Santiago Carreras makes no mistake with a penalty kick for Los Pumas.

Argentina 3-0 Springboks

2 minutes: South Africa’s first box-kick is too deep. Los Pumas are then awarded a penalty after Cameron Hanekom makes a high tackle.

1 minute: Argentina kick off to begin the match.

Teams

Argentina: Geronimo Prisciantelli, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, Ignacio Mendy, Santiago Carreras, Simon Benitez Cruz, Joaquin Moro, Benjamin Grondona, Pablo Matera (captain), Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Francisco Moreno, Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger.

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Mayco Vivas, Tomas Rapetti, Ephraim Elijah, Juan Penoucos, Juan Martin Scelzo, Agustin Moyano, Matias Moroni.

Springboks: Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Boan Venter.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cobus Wiese, Marco van Staden, Morne van den Berg, Handre Pollard.

Before kick-off, related coverage included analysis of the All Blacks’ weaknesses after going zero from seven, questions over contentious refereeing decisions involving the Stormers, Stormers player ratings featuring Ahmed, remarks from Paulse on the Stormers-All Blacks match, Siya Kolisi’s return to the Springboks, Argentina naming four debutants, Louw’s return after a long injury lay-off, Rassie Erasmus’ support for changes to the rugby calendar because of player burnout concerns, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu dismissing competition between Springboks fly-halves.