PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Wingers Courtnall Skosan and Raymond Rhule scored their first Test tries as South Africa stretched a winning run to four Tests by defeating Argentina 37-15 Saturday in the Rugby Championship.

Springboks fly-half Elton Jantjies kicked 17 points at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as the home team finished comfortable victors after leading 13-5 at half-time.

The triumph followed a 3-0 whitewash of France two months ago and continued a turnaround after a calendar-year record eight defeats in 12 Tests last season.

Argentina was virtually always on the back foot, committing countless handling errors, conceding numerous penalties and fly-half Nicolas Sanchez had an off-day with his goal-kicking.

“We could not have asked for a better start to the Rugby Championship,” said South Africa skipper and lock Eben Etzebeth.

“Our sincere thanks to the unbelievable support that we got here tonight,” he added, referring to the almost-capacity crowd in the 46,000-seat stadium.

“I cannot wait for the return match next weekend — we will start preparing tomorrow. We are really looking forward to next weekend.

“It is incredible how the boys play for each other. The culture in this team is amazing and it is great to be part of it.”

Argentina skipper and hooker Agustin Creevy said: “I think South Africa played a great game.”

Relentless early pressure from South Africa finally paid off after 12 minutes when Jantjies slotted a penalty after flanker Tomas Lezana went off his feet at a ruck.

Jantjies doubled the lead on 20 minutes from another penalty with Lezana again the offender, this time caught offside by French referee Romain Poite.

A six-point lead after 20 minutes was hardly the reward the Springboks deserved as they had kept the Pumas hemmed deep in their half on a cool, clear eastern Cape evening.

It took Argentina 27 minutes to reach the South African ‘22’ and almost immediately Sanchez had a chance to score, but missed a kickable penalty attempt.

However, five minutes later the South Americans did score when a grubber kick from center Jan Serfontein was snapped up by full-back Joaquin Tuculet, who counterattacked.

Winger Emiliano Boffelli carried forward the move and his clever kick ahead was snapped up by scrum-half Martin Landajo and he dotted down in the corner.

Sanchez failed to convert, leaving South Africa with a 6-5 ahead that did not reflect their possession and territory dominance.

South Africa finally scored a try after 37 minutes as Skosan collected an inside pass from Jantjies, shrugged off a tackle and went over between the posts.

Jantjies converted and South Africa left the field at half-time full value for a 13-5 advantage.

Sanchez and Jantjies exchanged second-half penalties before Rhule burst between two Pumas to score his first try, which was converted.

Slick handling sent Boffelli over at the other end and substitute fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez converted to leave the South Americans trailing 23-15 with an hour gone.

South Africa controlled the final quarter and forwards Siya Kolisi and substitute Pieter-Steph du Toit scored tries which Jantjies converted. — AFP