Juan Imhoff hat-trick powers Argentina to a first win over South Africa

Argentina’s Joaquin Tuculet takes a high ball during their Championship match against South Africa in Durban. Rogan Ward / Reuters

Winger Juan Imhoff scored a hat-trick of tries as Argentina recorded a first win over South Africa by 37-25 on Saturday in the final match of the 2015 Rugby Championship in Durban.

After 18 losses and a draw since the countries first met 22 years ago in Buenos Aires, it was the Pumas’ first win over the Springboks in 20 attempts and also their first away success in the competition.

Imhoff crossed twice in the first half to help Argentina to a 27-13 half-time lead and South Africa never recovered from his third try just after the break.

“We deserved to make history tonight,” said Pumas captain and hooker Agustin Creevy, “and I am so happy.

“My team played with tremendous heart and the victory is very encouraging after losses to New Zealand and Australia last month. It was vital to close the Championship with a win.”

The result – only Argentina’s second win in 21 tournament matches – spoilt the Test comeback of Springboks captain and centre Jean de Villiers, back for the first time since injuring a knee in Wales last November.

It took the Pumas 100 seconds to go ahead as an inside pass caught the Springboks napping and Imhoff sent centre Marcelo Bosch over for a try that fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez converted.

After Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard trimmed the deficit to four points via a penalty, the South Americans struck again as Imhoff gathered an aimless kick ahead and triggered a move he later finished by dotting down.

Hernandez, a veteran of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and recalled in place of off-form Nicolas Sanchez, converted again.

Another Pollard penalty was followed by another Imhoff try when the Pumas broke down the blindside from a scrum.

Inexperienced Springbok tighthead prop Vincent Koch was having a torrid time at the scrums and being repeatedly penalised by French referee Romain Poite.

South Africa narrowed the gap to 21-13 when lock Lood de Jager used his bulk to barge over and Pollard converted.

But Pumas penalties, from Hernandez and Bosch, left the visitors 14 points ahead at the break.

South Africa controversially fell seven points further behind three minutes after the restart when Imhoff completed his hat-trick.

While the Springboks stood on the try-line, believing the referee had not restarted play after an injury, Hernandez took a tap penalty and passed to Imhoff, who crossed for Hernandez to convert.

Full-back Willie le Roux offered hope to the silenced 27,000 crowd by beginning and ending a move that produced a try that Pollard converted, leaving South Africa 14 points adrift with 30 minutes left.

Argentina were next to score as Bosch dropped a goal but winger Bryan Habana claimed a late try for the hosts.

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