2004 South Africa rugby union tour of Argentina and Europe

2004 South Africa rugby union tour of Argentina and Europe
Summary
P W D L
Total
05 03 00 02
Test match
05 03 00 00
Opponent
P W D L
 Wales
1 1 0 0
 Ireland
1 0 0 1
 England
1 0 0 1
 Scotland
1 1 0 0
 Argentina
1 1 0 0

The 2004 South Africa rugby union tour of Argentina and Europe was a series of matches played by the Springboks during November and December 2004 in Great Britain, Ireland, and Argentina.

Their goal of obtaining a Grand Slam failed due to losses against Ireland and England. While the Springboks were in the British Isles, the South Africa A team made a three match tour of Argentina.

Matches

Wales

South Africa were originally scheduled to play against Wales on 4 December 2004; however, that resulted in a clash with Heineken Cup fixtures and the match was moved to 6 November instead.[1] South Africa managed a narrow victory over Wales thanks to 23 points from their goalkicker Percy Montgomery; in addition to three conversions and four penalties, he also scored the last of South Africa's four tries.[2]

6 November 2004
Wales 36–38 South Africa
Try: Henson (2)
Peel
Con: S. Jones (3)
Pen: S. Jones (5)		Try: Van der Westhuyzen
Van Niekerk
De Villiers
Montgomery
Con: Montgomery (3)
Pen: Montgomery (4)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (Ireland)

Ireland

The dream of obtaining the Grand Slam vanished in the second match. Ronan O' Gara on one side, and Percy Montgomery on the other, were the only scorers for their respective teams. Ireland obtained their first victory against the Springboks in 39 years.[3]

13 November 2004
Ireland 17–12 South Africa
Try: O'Gara
Pen: O'Gara 3
Drop: O'Gara		Pen: Montgomery 4
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 48,000
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

England

England, led by fly-half Charlie Hodgson, beat South Africa for a sixth consecutive time, in the match which featured the debut of Bryan Habana[4]

20 November 2004
England 32–16 South Africa
Try: Cueto, Hodgson
Con: Hodgson 2
Pen: Hodgson 5
Drop: Hodgson		Try: Habana
Con: Montgomery
Pen: Montgomery 3
Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 73,000
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Scotland

The Springboks defeated Scotland easily in the fourth match of the tour.[5]

27 November 2004
Scotland 10–45 South Africa
Try: Penalty try
Con: Paterson
Pen: Paterson		Try: Fourie, Habana 2,
Tyibilika, Van der Westhuyzen
Con: Montgomery 4
Pen: Montgomery
Drop: Van der Westhuyzen 3
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 44,237
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)

Argentina

The last match against the "Pumas" was won by South Africa, with many of Argentina's best players remaining in Europe to play for their clubs.[6]

4 December 2004
Argentina 7–39 South Africa
Try: Artese
Con: J. Fernández Miranda		Try: Cronjé, Du Preez
Du Toit 2, Joubert
Con: Du Toit 4
Pen: Du Toit 2
José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: Chris White (England)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Wales add Springbok date". BBC Sport. 7 April 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  2. ^ Butler, Eddie (7 November 2004). "Monty is ruthless but Wales rally at death". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  3. ^ "O'Gara inspires historic win". irishrugby.ie. 15 November 2004. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  4. ^ "England break free from burden of past glories". The Guardian. 22 November 2004. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Van der Westhuyzen and Habana overwhelm bedraggled Scotland". The Observer. 28 November 2004. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  6. ^ *"MEMORIA Temporada año 2004" (PDF) (in Spanish). Argentine Rugby Union. December 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.