South Africa secured a third-place finish at the World Cup on an evening of mixed emotions as Bryan Habana spurned a string of chances to make history.
Habana began the clash with Argentina on 15 Rugby World Cup tries, tied with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu and one shy of holding the record outright.
It was JP Pietersen – on the other wing for South Africa – who was first to dot down at the Olympic Stadium while Eben Etzebeth scored shortly after the break, but not before Habana had seen a handful of openings slip through his fingers.
A much-changed Pumas side rarely threatened the Springboks – captained by Victor Matfield on his 127th and final appearance – but head coach Heyneke Meyer hooked Habana off 15 minutes from time to end any hopes of a record-breaking evening.
Replacement prop Juan Pablo Orlandi grabbed a late consolation try for Argentina but South Africa ran out comfortable winners, 24-13.
