South Africa Under-20s ended the Rugby Championship on a positive note as Philip Albert van Niekerk scored a penalty minute after the siren to snatch a 30-28 victory over Argentina Under-20s.
The Junior Springboks scored in the first minute through star midfielder and vice-captain Jurenzo Julius but were unable to take control of the game from there.
Argentina stayed in the fight and ended up taking a commanding lead at the end of the first half thanks to Franco Rossetto's stunning hat-trick. Rossetto scored the fourth goal at the end of the game as well.
Los Pomitas looked to be clinging to their winger's four efforts, but that was not to be the case in the end, as a late penalty gave South Africa the wind and saw Argentina suffer a heartbreaking defeat.
Here are some lessons learned from South Africa's confidence-building victory.
The main difference that won the match for South Africa
It was quite clear against Australia and New Zealand that Argentina's strength lies in its attacking line. Whether it was their accuracy from the set-piece or their ability to win the collision battle around the pitch, it was the foundation of Los Pomitas' success.
Playing against a talented attacking group of Juniors Springboks, it looked to be a similar story on Sunday afternoon, as Argentina's Under-20 big men held their own without being overly dominant. Their set work was practically flawless and their work around the action was solid.
But that changed a little after the break when the South African team took control of the game. Argentina lost an attacking lineman with a throw of their own once during the first half, but suddenly, the set-piece was controlled by the Junior Springboks who thrived as a result.
South Africa won their first penalty kick of the 44thy minute. They troubled Pumitas from a free kick, and that wasn't the only time either. The Boks would go on to win two more penalties within the first 18 minutes of the first half.
Against the backdrop of the team's sheer dominance, Tian Jacobs, the number 8, succeeded in putting Los Pumitas to sleep with a smart, quick goal about six minutes into the second half. South Africa were playing with confidence and momentum at that stage.
The South African attackers also held an Argentine player wide to ensure a turnover on the hour mark. That was the icing on the cake, and while the game was close, it was their dominance in that area that really set the tone.
However, traffic was not only one-way. Argentina won with an anti-throw combination midway through the first half and then with a huge penalty kick of their own.
But compared to their opponents, it would be unfair to say their dominance reflects even the Strikers winning at least a split decision. It was an area of the match that had a huge impact on the full-time outcome.
The Argentina U-20 team paints a positive picture for the future
Argentina lost. It was a close game that led to the aforementioned penalty after the siren, so now it's as if Los Pomitas weren't in the fight.
What was roughly two wins and one loss in the tournament turned into a 1-2 record with the final kick of play. International rugby is often decided by small margins and this U20s Test was no different.
But what does this result mean for Argentina Rugby moving forward? Well, quite simply, there is every reason to be optimistic about where the South American country will go on the international rugby scene.
Their three fine performances on the Sunshine Coast have been coupled with the success of the men's sevens team in the SVNS Series in 2023/24 and it would be fair to say that the future of Argentine rugby has never been brighter.
Looking at the Under-20s specifically, there is every reason to believe they can improve on their last tournament finish last time out.
Argentina's best ever result was 3Research and development In England in 2016. They thrashed South Africa 49-19 to take the bronze medal while the tournament hosts defeated Ireland to claim the world title.
Los Pomitas currently do not appear to be the team that can replicate that effort. And with New Zealand, England, Ireland, France and Australia at least one step ahead, it will be a huge effort if they shock the rugby world.
To be fair, they've done it before.
At best, the Argentine team is able to match their heroic achievements in the 2019 tournament by finishing in fourth place. Recently they also finished 11thy In 2017, 6y In 2018 and 9y In 2023.
Argentina is good enough to finish the season in at least the top eight if not higher. They showed on the Sunshine Coast that other than losing to New Zealand, they can push some quality teams to the limits.
Pumitas Pavilion changed the game
Franco Rossetto, take a bow. The Argentine winger changed the entire course of the match by scoring an amazing hat-trick within 15 minutes at the end of the first half.
But before you read on, it's worth noting that the pace car finished in four. Rossetto had not scored a try in the tournament before this match against South Africa.
Before those three attempts, Argentina was in the fray without throwing many punches. South Africa were tenacious and risked extending their lead before Rossetto's heroics.
Rossetto scored his first try in the 27th minutey One minute after running a support line from a team-mate and he added another shortly after when he ran on a clever cross kick from Facundo Rodriguez.
The winger wasn't finished either, with Roseto completing a stunning hat-trick with a volley in the 42nd minute.Second abbreviation minute. Half-back Thomas De Biasi went to the short side of the strike and found Rossetto unmarked.
Suddenly, Los Pomitas took a comprehensive 21-7 lead.
Rossetto was played out of the game shortly after the break, but any good winger can finish off chances whenever they are given and the Argentine certainly fits the bill.
With a neat shot into the corner, Rossetto somehow managed to clear the ball late in the second half with several South African players pressuring him with defensive efforts.
It was four tries that almost won the match for Argentina.
