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Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has hailed the character of his team in the wake of a lucky 33-31 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in Salta on Saturday.
Flyhalf Morne Steyn ignored whistling and booing to kick a penalty three minutes from time to give the South Africa a second win over the Pumas within eight days.
It was the climax of a stirring last-quarter comeback by the visitors, as tries from right-wing Cornal Hendricks and flank Marcell Coetzee wiped out a 12-point deficit.
Meyer said an ankle injury suffered by replacement tight-head prop Frans Malherbe would rule him out of the other four Championship matches.
Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers believed the energy of the seven substitutes used was a crucial factor in getting out of jail.
De Villiers also lauded Argentina, who seemed set for their first Championship victory when leading 28-16 midway through the second half.
Both teams head for Australasia early September to play New Zealand and Australia.
Meanwhile:
The Sharks, Western Province, Blue Bulls and Pumas all registered invaluable home wins in their round-three Absa Currie Cup clashes this weekend to build momentum in their campaigns.
The Sharks and Province remain the only unbeaten teams in the competition.
The Sharks overcame a tough tussle against the Free State Cheetahs in Durban to secure a late 19-16 victory, while Western Province toppled the Golden Lions 27-14 at Newlands.
The Blue Bulls registered a 30-25 win against the EP Kings at Loftus Versfeld, which marked their first victory in the competition, while the Pumas staged a strong second-half fightback against Griquas for their 33-15 win in Nelspruit.
