Argentina lit up Twickenham with flashes of attacking flair, scoring three impressive tries, but their inability to establish a solid set-piece platform meant their title challenge against South Africa was ultimately built on sand. The Pumas demonstrated their danger in open play but were hamstrung by a struggling scrum.
The tries from Bautista Delguy and Rodrigo Isgró showcased the very best of Argentinian rugby: quick hands, elusive running, and a poacher’s instinct. When given space and time, the Pumas’ backline proved they could slice through the world’s best defense.
However, these moments were too few and far between because of the constant pressure they were under at the scrum. The set piece is the foundation of any attack, and Argentina’s was consistently being demolished by the powerful Springbok pack. This meant they were often starting attacks from deep within their own territory, off poor quality ball.
The contrast between their fluid attack and faltering scrum was stark. It was a classic case of a team being unable to play the game on their own terms. They were forced into a reactive, defensive posture for large parts of the match, unable to impose their preferred high-tempo style.
The final result was a painful lesson for the Pumas. While their attacking game is clearly world-class, their defeat highlights the non-negotiable importance of set-piece parity in Test match rugby. Without it, even the most brilliant attacking flair is not enough.
