The win was never in doubt after the Springboks – celebrating a new Test record for Eben Etzebeth (128 caps) – had a sublime start that had the sold out crowd of 43 578 in raptures and hardly gave them time to either sit down or catch a breath in a spellbinding first 15 minutes.

They broke the Pumas defence in the opening minute, following a deep lineout throw, and had them on the ropes for at least six minutes before Aphelele Fassi scored the first try, and would eventually add six more tries (to one) on a wonderful celebration of Southern Hemisphere rugby.

Meanwhile, Etzebeth paid tribute to the team-mates who have shared his Springbok career: “There are guys I have been with at three World Cups, won two World Cups, guys like Siya, Jesse, Handre, Frans, Willie, Damian … I’m leaving a few out, but I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without those players.”

Etzebeth said he remained motivated to continue pushing for selection although he kept private his ultimate career goals.

“It’s about staying fit and pushing the body as far as it can go,” he said.

“I’ve made no secret that the reason I play this game is to play for this team; to perform for my club and to be selected for the national side – that’s the ultimate,” he told www.sarugby.co.za

Eben Etzebeth is now the most-capped Springbok ever.

Scorers:

Springboks 48 (27) – Tries: Aphelele Fassi (2), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2), Cheslin Kolbe, Malcolm Marx, Jesse Kriel. Conversions: Jaden Hendrikse (2), Handre Pollard (3). Penalty goal: Hendrikse.

Argentina 7 (7) – Try: Tomas Albornoz. Conversion: Albornoz.