The loss of the fly-half Andre Pretorius after 22 minutes was disruptive. Argentina had opportunities for advancement at 13-6 and then 20-16 ahead, but were never quite good enough to capitalise. The Springboks, bolstered in attack and defence by the admirable Juan Smith on the flank, did just enough. This was a scrappy, unconvincing display from the Springboks in Buenos Aires. Much better will be needed from South Africa if they are to beat Wales and France later this month.
Replacements: L Johansson (QLD) for Turinui, 61; D Mitchell (QLD) for Giteau, 65; G Holmes (QLD) for Dunning, 80; S Moore (QLD) for Cannon 50-64, 78; H McMeniman (QLD) for Chisholm, 67; J Roe (QLD) for Elsom, 58 Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand) Attendance: 60,000.. Replacements: T Castaign? (Saracens) for Jauzion, 66; Y Delaigue (Castres) for Michalak, 46; S Marconnet (Stade Fran?s) for Milloud, 72; S Bruno (Sale Sharks) for Szarzewski, 61; L Nallet (Castres) for Pelous, 70; G Lamboley (Toulouse) for Nyanga, 79; S Chabal (Sale Sharks) for Li?emont, 78. Australia: C Latham (Queensland Reds); W Sailor, L Tuqiri, M Turinui, M Rogers (all NSW Waratahs); M Giteau (ACT Brumbies), G Gregan (ACT, capt); M Dunning, B Cannon (both NSW), A Baxter (NSW), M Chisholm (ACT), N Sharpe (Western Force), R Elsom (NSW), G Smith (ACT), P Waugh (NSW). France: J Laharrague (Perpignan); A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne), Y Jauzion, F Fritz, C Heymans; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde (all Toulouse); O Milloud (Bourgoin), D Szarzewski, P de Villiers (both Stade Fran?s), F Pelous (Toulouse, capt), J Thion (Biarritz), Y Nyanga (Toulouse), R Martin (Stade Fran?s), T Li?emont (Biarritz).
Australia: Try Mitchell; Conversion Rogers; Penalties Rogers 3. France: Tries Heymans, Martin; Conversions Elissalde 2; Penalties Elissalde 3, Michalak. Wasps' hooker Rapha?Iba?was called up, but Sale's S?stien Chabal was released. There was a French try in each half from C?ic Heymans and R? Martin, but fly-half Fr?ric Michalak went off with a sore neck and yesterday the injury-ridden Bleus made five changes in a squad of 23 for the second of their autumn Tests against Canada on Saturday. The match commissioner, Peter Brown of Scotland, has until 11pm today to consider citing the French captain.