There is no denying that the Argentineans have made giant leaps in recent years and they've become one of the highly regarded sides in world rugby.
But the Springboks’ 24-26 defeat to Los Pumas at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena on Saturday irked many South African rugby followers to a point where the match was compared to some of the worst Springbok performances since readmission.
We take a look at five of the worst displays by the men in green and gold since 1994.
5. South Africa 25-37 Argentina‚ Durban‚ 8 August 2015
It was at this point that even some of ex-Bok coach Heyneke Meyer’s most vociferous supporters also started to wonder whether he was the right man to steer the Springboks ship forward.
This was the first time in history that an Argentinean side beat the Boks. What made it more painful was that it was at home‚ at Kings’ Park.
The Boks were outplayed in all spheres of the game and many argued that it was SA's worst display of the previous decade.
4. South Africa 16-52 New Zealand‚ Pretoria‚ 19 July 2003
This was arguably the darkest period in South African rugby‚ a period under coach Rudolf Straeuli that also included the infamous Kamp Staaldraad.
Any match against the All Blacks is expected to be tough for the Boks‚ and more often than not‚ it is expected that the Kiwis will emerge victorious.
However‚ watching the All Blacks put 50 points past the Boks was a bitter pill to swallow.
It was the worst home defeat in the Springboks' history‚ and the first and only time they had conceded a half-century at home.
No less than four of the All Blacks’ tries came from foolish errors by the home side.
That the likes of Carlos Spencer‚ Doug Howlett‚ Joe Rokocoko were at their pinnacle in the black jersey only served to expose the many shortcomings in Straeuli’s side under the captaincy of Corne Krige.
The All Blacks scored a mammoth seven tries to just one from the Boks.
3. Australia 49-0 South Africa‚ Brisbane‚ 15 July 2006
After this match‚ coach Jake White may have considered himself fortunate that he was still afforded the opportunity to continue to lead the Boks to the 2007 World Cup.
White was summoned back home to give answers for the dismal performance immediately after the game.
The result remains the Wallabies’ biggest win against the Boks and it was the largest winning margin in the Tri-Nation’s (now Rugby Championship) history since 1996.
The Boks were miserable in a game where trusted players like Percy Montgomery made elementary mistakes‚ Victor Matfield received an unnecessary yellow card and John Smit’s forwards were obliterated by the Aussies.
Stephan Larkham showed in that game why he was regarded as one of the world’s most brilliant players.
2. England 53-3 South Africa‚ London‚ 23 November 2002
The Boks had succumbed 6-21 to Scotland a week before this match and many thought that things could not get any worse. And they did.
The visit to Twickenham will remain one of the many blemishes in Rudolf Straeuli's reign - the result remains the Springboks’ worst losing margin in history.
Not only did the players put in a dreary performance and almost gave up long before the final whistle‚ but it was the ill-discipline in the side that caused many jaws to drop.
Even captain Corne Krige did not cover himself with glory and “accidentally” knocked out one of his own players‚ flyhalf Andre Pretorius‚ in an attempt to punch an opponent.
This should have been an indication that all was not well in the Bok camp as the atrocities of Kamp Staaldraad emerged later.
1. South Africa 32-34 Japan‚ Brighton‚ 19 September 2015
Undoubtedly the lowest point in the history of South African rugby as never before had a Springbok team been beaten by a minnow rugby nation.
The defeat in their opening match of the 2015 World Cup was the straw that broke Heyneke Meyer’s back.
There was no denying that only the William Webb Ellis trophy would make up for the embarrassment or save Meyer’s job.
Just like the Bok team that lost to Argentina on Saturday‚ there was no sign that the team had any identity or structure to their game.
News later emerged that players went against the instructions of the coach in that game‚ clearly revealing that Meyer had lost the dressing room.
It will still take many years for the humiliation of losing to Japan in front of the eyes of the entire world at a World Cup to be erased from memory.
By the way‚ Japan remains the only nation to boast a 100% win record against the Springboks. - TMG Digital
Five rugby matches that have embarrassed the Springboks
There is no denying that the Argentineans have made giant leaps in recent years and they've become one of the highly regarded sides in world rugby.
But the Springboks’ 24-26 defeat to Los Pumas at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena on Saturday irked many South African rugby followers to a point where the match was compared to some of the worst Springbok performances since readmission.
We take a look at five of the worst displays by the men in green and gold since 1994.
5. South Africa 25-37 Argentina‚ Durban‚ 8 August 2015
It was at this point that even some of ex-Bok coach Heyneke Meyer’s most vociferous supporters also started to wonder whether he was the right man to steer the Springboks ship forward.
This was the first time in history that an Argentinean side beat the Boks. What made it more painful was that it was at home‚ at Kings’ Park.
The Boks were outplayed in all spheres of the game and many argued that it was SA's worst display of the previous decade.
4. South Africa 16-52 New Zealand‚ Pretoria‚ 19 July 2003
This was arguably the darkest period in South African rugby‚ a period under coach Rudolf Straeuli that also included the infamous Kamp Staaldraad.
Any match against the All Blacks is expected to be tough for the Boks‚ and more often than not‚ it is expected that the Kiwis will emerge victorious.
However‚ watching the All Blacks put 50 points past the Boks was a bitter pill to swallow.
It was the worst home defeat in the Springboks' history‚ and the first and only time they had conceded a half-century at home.
No less than four of the All Blacks’ tries came from foolish errors by the home side.
That the likes of Carlos Spencer‚ Doug Howlett‚ Joe Rokocoko were at their pinnacle in the black jersey only served to expose the many shortcomings in Straeuli’s side under the captaincy of Corne Krige.
The All Blacks scored a mammoth seven tries to just one from the Boks.
3. Australia 49-0 South Africa‚ Brisbane‚ 15 July 2006
After this match‚ coach Jake White may have considered himself fortunate that he was still afforded the opportunity to continue to lead the Boks to the 2007 World Cup.
White was summoned back home to give answers for the dismal performance immediately after the game.
The result remains the Wallabies’ biggest win against the Boks and it was the largest winning margin in the Tri-Nation’s (now Rugby Championship) history since 1996.
The Boks were miserable in a game where trusted players like Percy Montgomery made elementary mistakes‚ Victor Matfield received an unnecessary yellow card and John Smit’s forwards were obliterated by the Aussies.
Stephan Larkham showed in that game why he was regarded as one of the world’s most brilliant players.
2. England 53-3 South Africa‚ London‚ 23 November 2002
The Boks had succumbed 6-21 to Scotland a week before this match and many thought that things could not get any worse. And they did.
The visit to Twickenham will remain one of the many blemishes in Rudolf Straeuli's reign - the result remains the Springboks’ worst losing margin in history.
Not only did the players put in a dreary performance and almost gave up long before the final whistle‚ but it was the ill-discipline in the side that caused many jaws to drop.
Even captain Corne Krige did not cover himself with glory and “accidentally” knocked out one of his own players‚ flyhalf Andre Pretorius‚ in an attempt to punch an opponent.
This should have been an indication that all was not well in the Bok camp as the atrocities of Kamp Staaldraad emerged later.
1. South Africa 32-34 Japan‚ Brighton‚ 19 September 2015
Undoubtedly the lowest point in the history of South African rugby as never before had a Springbok team been beaten by a minnow rugby nation.
The defeat in their opening match of the 2015 World Cup was the straw that broke Heyneke Meyer’s back.
There was no denying that only the William Webb Ellis trophy would make up for the embarrassment or save Meyer’s job.
Just like the Bok team that lost to Argentina on Saturday‚ there was no sign that the team had any identity or structure to their game.
News later emerged that players went against the instructions of the coach in that game‚ clearly revealing that Meyer had lost the dressing room.
It will still take many years for the humiliation of losing to Japan in front of the eyes of the entire world at a World Cup to be erased from memory.
By the way‚ Japan remains the only nation to boast a 100% win record against the Springboks. - TMG Digital
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