Ruthless Springboks turn Puma errors into points

By Mitch Phillips

PARIS (Reuters) - South Africa delivered a ruthless masterclass in rugby opportunism on Sunday when they seized on a series of Argentine errors to earn a return to the World Cup final they last graced on home soil 12 years ago.

The Springboks had to absorb long spells of Argentina pressure but when the Pumas erred, which they did far too often to have any realistic hope of victory, the favorites punished them in devastating fashion.

South Africa scored four tries, all converted and all from Argentine possession as their wise heads kept control while the men in blue and white fluffed their lines on the biggest stage they had ever appeared on.

The tone was set in the first five minutes when Argentina had started the better and were making good ground into their opponents' half.

However, Felipe Contepomi's pass was intercepted by livewire scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez for a 70-metre score and the die was cast.

Argentina's high kick-and-chase game that had served them so well earlier in the tournament had been replaced by a more adventurous passing game but it was rugby on the edge and too often they fell on the wrong side.

The Pumas did force their way back into contention at 10-6 down after half an hour only for Gonzalo Longo to allow Schalk Burger to rip the ball from his arms to set up a counter-attack that led to the first of Bryan Habana's two tries.

DREAM OVER