BRYAN Habana endured a wretched night in missing four fine chances to break Jonah Lomu's all-time World Cup try-scoring record despite South Africa seeing off Argentina 24-13. Flanker Jerome Kaino, their first-half try-scorer, was still in the sin-bin, but New Zealand started the second spell where it finished the first, pinning the Springboks deep in their half.
"I thought our impact players made a big difference and our defence was great", said the Bok coach.
Both South Africa and Argentina said goodbye to a number of influential figures tonight as the third-place playoff marked the end of the global road for a few of the most recognisable names in rugby. In the 10th minute, Pollard scored off a penalty and extended the Springboks lead to 10-0.
But in what is likely to be the 32-year-old winger's final World Cup match, Habana squandered several chances before being taken off in the 67th minute by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. Victor Matfield will bid farewell to global rugby as he captains the Springboks for the first time in their battle-for-third match against Argentina.
Feeling flat? Argentina fans at the Olympic Stadium.
Three times did Habana sniff the World Cup tries record, only for it to be snatched away - first by the TMO and then through two faults of his own. A little dart by Cordero in the 23rd minute was reminiscent of the wing's whirligig contributions earlier in the tournament although he'd had a nightmarish semi-final against Australia last Sunday, when Argentina's willingness to attack went belly up with an early interception pass thrown by Nicolas Sanchez.
Victor Matfield's charge up-field included a dummy and a line-break before setting the platform for the try.
South Africa's Eben Etzebeth scores his side's second try during the Rugby World Cup third place playoff against Argentina
14 - The number of turnovers won by South Africa compared to four by Argentina.
But South Africa's most-capped player conceded that he had his doubts following the semi-final defeat to New Zealand last weekend.
Argentina also had a new skipper.
"Of course we would have loved to be playing tomorrow for the World Cup but unfortunately things didn't go our way last week".
It wasn't long before the Argentineans had another penalty in a similar position though, and this time they chose to take the points, perhaps a odd decision from 21 points behind. Argentina dominated possession and territory during this Bronze final, but it was the Springboks who dominated on the scoreboard, kicking for goal when the opportunity presented itself and withstanding waves of determined Pumas attack. A bronze medal is better than fourth place.
Their team-mates Schalk Burger and Fourie du Preez are expected to retire from worldwide rugby now too. "We really wanted to be there but the guys picked themselves up this week against a fantastic Argentinean team and we shut them out - in the end I think we won comfortably".