SOUTH AFRICA 26 ARGENTINA 25

'Outmuscled, outhustled and out of form, only Houdini act saves the day'

"However he [Rudolf Straeuli] tries to massage yesterday's performance against the luckless Argentine Pumas, the barely palatable truth is that South Africa were reckless, clumsy and extremely fortunate to escape by the skin of their teeth. Straeuli had been at pains this week to dismiss talk that the Boks' aura of invincibility had been lost. But that's bollocks. A succession of teams have played South Africa in recent months and paid scant respect to the weight of history. Great teams are revered - this lot are not great. Yesterday, they were even below ordinary ... Truth be told, the Boks didn't deserve to win."
- Clinton van der Berg, Sunday Times (SA)

'Puma passion'

"When the ball crossed the posts the South African fans lifted their glasses of beer to the skies at the EPRFU Stadium. Between a mist of quarrel and tears, history evaded the Pumas. But only by a point, were they defeated. From this match, one will speak of the enormous performance of Felipe Contepomi and Hernandez, the uncontrollable power of Grau, the pleasing confirmtion of Tucaman's Núnez Piossek and the untiring play of Ostiglia. And it will be the consolation of an unforgettable performance and an unfortunate outcome that can, in the same way, be considered. Argentina made and had everything to win."
- Diego Mazzei, La Nacion (Arg)

'Scandalous Boks'

"The cheers following Louis Koen's match-saving penalty in the final minute hardly died down when the rock music boomed out in the stadium, once known as Boet Erasmus: "We're half way there! We're living on a prayer!" Sorry sister, that is only one out of two. We are indeed living on prayers in South African rugby, but as one could see out of the rubbish dished up by the Springboks yesterday [Saturday], we are very far from being halfway there. It was very close to the Boks getting a historic beating from the Pumas and it would have been a well deserved hiding. Most of the players were bemused and flat-footed throughout, after the first quarter did indeed produce fine rugby. There were indications of good rolling mauls, which surely is our only hope of not dragging our name further through the mud than ever before. But tactically the Boks are plain stupid. And their skills are also shameful."
- Louis de Villiers, Rapport (SA)

'Koen grabs last-second win for South Africa over Argentina'

"Flyhalf Louis Koen kicked a penalty after the siren had sounded to give South Africa a 26-25 victory over Argentina yesterday [Saturday]. Argentina were denied their first victory over the Springboks in nine attempts by a flawless kicking display from Koen, who scored 16 points from two conversions and four penalties. The Pumas had looked set to add another major scalp to their collection following their 2-0 home series win over France as they scored three tries in the middle portion of the match to lead 25-16 with only 11 minutes remaining."
- The Buenos Aires Herald (Arg)

NEW ZEALAND 31 FRANCE 23

'It's French dressing'

"The All Blacks beat France 31-23 last night - but the win lacked any French polish. Rueben Thorne's men were hot favourites going into last night's clash at Jade Stadium but were on the wrong end of some harsh calls from referee André Watson. Thorne - sin-binned for retaliating to a French charge - said the team could do better."
- Neil Reid, The Sunday News (NZ)

'A reassuring defeat'

"The French rugby team, full of generosity and enthusiasm, was accurately beaten by the All Blacks. Already demolished twice by Argentina, the French completed their tour of the southern hemisphere with the least amount of success. On the other hand, they created doubt by frightening the All Blacks at times. Having played relatively well, they can regret having missed two penalties."
- L'Equipe (Fra)

'All Black failings exposed '

"There were about six minutes left on the clock when the row of spectators sitting in front of the press box walked out of Jade Stadium. It seemed an incredibly stupid thing to do. The All Blacks were down to 14 men with their captain, Reuben Thorne, in the sin bin, and had only a slender, 28-20, lead against France. Did those who left not know their history? France, more than any team, were capable of winning from here and putting the final nail in the coffin on what had been a bumbling night for the All Blacks."
- Jim Kayes, The Dominion Post (NZ)

'France XV beaten by All Blacks'

"France were beaten by New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday. Already beaten twice in Agrentina, they finished their tour of the southern hemisphere with a third loss against the All Blacks. France started the match rather convincingly, six points down at half-time after conceding three tries by the left-winger Joe Rokocoko."
- Le Monde (Fra)