FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Argentina v France - Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina - July 13, 2024 Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi before the match REUTERS/Matias Baglietto/File Photo
(Reuters) - Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has already guided the side to a best ever season in the Rugby Championship no matter what happens in Saturday’s title decider against South Africa in Nelspruit but is still seeking improvement from his side.
The thrilling 29-28 victory over the world champion Springboks in Santiago del Estero leaves Argentina with a chance at claiming a first southern hemisphere title, but they will need to earn five points this coming weekend and deny their hosts any to lift the trophy.
While Contepomi revelled in the result, which adds to wins this season over New Zealand (38-30) and Australia (67-27), making it the first time they have beaten all three rivals in a single year, he admits his side had a dollop of good fortune.
Replacement Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok missed a kick from virtually in front of the posts with a minute to go that may have snatched the win for the visitors.
"The victory could have been a defeat in the last minute. Beyond the result, which is obviously welcome, the important thing is what we were able to do at times, which is to impose our game," Contepomi told reporters.
"At times it came out but we also shot ourselves in the foot, because we gave them an entrance to the game with penalties and unforced errors.
"South Africa is predictable, but not easy. You know what they are going to do, but they do it so well that it is very difficult to stop."
South Africa led 17-0 early on, before Argentina took advantage of a yellow card for wing Kurt-Lee Arendse in the first half and led 26-22 at the break. The second period became an arm-wrestle.
"What made the difference was the defensive (effort). There was real conviction in going to tackle two by two. Every centimetre counts.
"The attacking play is what is easiest to see, or the most beautiful, but I think a lot about the work on defence."
Contepomi says minimising errors will be key in the clash in Nelspruit if his side are to lift the trophy for the first time.
"We have many areas to correct," he said. "There are small mistakes that allowed them into the game. It's trying to minimise the ones you can control, the unforced errors. We are going to work on that to continue growing."
Argentina will be without injured flanker Marcos Kremer after he left the field in the second half and has not travelled to South Africa.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
