South Africa prevailed but Bryan Habana failed to set a record
Last Updated: 31/10/15 6:26pm
South Africa have finished third at the Rugby World Cup after defeating Argentina 24-13 in the bronze medal match at the Olympic Stadium.
Handre Pollard kicked 14 points for the Springboks while wing JP Pietersen and giant lock Eben Etzebeth both crossed for tries.
But great South Africa wing Bryan Habana missed several fine try-scoring chances, as he failed to set a new record for all-time tries at a World Cup.
The 32-year-old may not be back in four years and looks set to remain tied with Jonah Lomu on 15 career World Cup tries.
The Pumas were handicapped by wholesale changes but still produced a typically gutsy performance in front of a sell-out crowd of almost 56,000.
But the Springboks took the lead in just the sixth minute, right after Pumas scrum-half Tomas Cubelli was sin-binned, having tackled Ruan Pienaar as he took a quick tap penalty.
After a driving maul, South Africa worked the ball out to Pietersen and he dived over in the right-hand corner.
The Pumas responded well and enjoyed plenty of possession all night but they struggled to break through against a well-organised South Africa defence.
And the Springboks could have been out of sight by half-time but for some uncharacteristically poor finishing from Habana.
He just lost out to Argentina full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino as they chased a kick and then knocked on with the line at his mercy when Pollard floated a pass out wide.
Habana was denied again when he was hauled down by Horacio Agulla and then narrowly failed to intercept a Nicolas Sanchez pass.
However, despite their failure to add further first-half tries, South Africa continued to pull away thanks to the boot of Pollard, who kicked three penalties to make it 16-0 at the interval.
Argentina started the second-half promisingly and Sanchez dropped a goal to get them on the scoreboard.
But South Africa then struck a crucial blow, Schalk Burger winning a turnover in Argentina's 22 and captain Victor Matfield cutting through the line.
The Springboks then recycled the ball at speed and Etzebeth stretched for the try in the left corner, Habana providing the final pass.
Pollard then kicked his fourth penalty of the night and Sanchez responded with a three-pointer for Argentina before Habana left the field to a standing ovation.
The second-half was far more disjointed than the first in general but Argentina battered South Africa's 22 at the death, and claimed a deserved try when prop Pablo Orlandi plunged over after a series of drives.
Sanchez slotted the conversion to complete the scoring on an emotional night when Springboks great Matfield and Pumas legend Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe made their final international appearances.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer declared himself proud of his players after they won a match he was initially dismissive of.
Speaking shortly after losing to New Zealand in last weekend's semi-final, Meyer described the prospect of playing in the bronze final as like "kissing your sister".
But the Springboks began to warm to the prospect during the week and Meyer was keen to explain his earlier comments.
"What I meant was that if you drop your standards as a coach and you're happy with third then you shouldn't be a coach of South Africa," he said.
"I felt bad afterwards, I didn't mean it like that ... but after missing out on the final you feel like your heart's been ripped out.
"We could have gone one of two ways - pear-shaped or stick together. We chose to stick together and I'm so proud of what I still think is the best team in the world.
"Today was just a relief. In my heart I still think we should be playing tomorrow. But looking back we can't complain and I'm very proud of the way the team came back after our first game [defeat to Japan].
"I think this team can be invincible, we've got some of the best youngsters in the world.
"In four years, and even another year, they will be a different team. I really hope we can keep them together. A lot of these guys will be heroes for their country and superstars in the game."
Matfield made his 127th and final South Africa appearance and he was in reflective mood at the final whistle.
"Of course we would have loved to be playing tomorrow for the World Cup but unfortunately things didn't go our way last week," he said.
"Today we knew it would be tough. We have a lot of respect for Argentina and a bronze medal is better than fourth place.
"I'll go into the changing room and have a beer with Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez and the guys I've spent so much of my life with.
"It's been a fantastic career and I'm just happy we won the game tonight."
As for Argentina, Daniel Hourcade confirmed he may stay on as coach for another two years but said he will not be in charge at the next Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.
The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) have indicated they want him to remain in the post after overseeing an improvement in the side since taking over two years ago but Hourcade refused to be drawn on his future.
"If we come to an agreement it would be for two years," said Hourcade.
"A lot can happen in two years including logical physical wear ... Cycles come to an end."
