World Cup: South Africa v Argentina

1. Play-off result: South Africa 24-13 Argentina
2. Pietersen, Etzebeth tries, Pollard con & 4 pens for SA
3. Orlandi try, Sanchez drop-goal, pen & con for Argentina

Cheers

Victor Matfield is swigging a bottle of beer handed to him by a female spectator so we're taking our cue from the great second-row, who is soaking up a World Cup atmosphere for one final time, and winding up this live commentary in a bid to make it to last orders. 

After quenching his thirst, Matfield then steps on to a makeshift stage to collect a bronze medal, as do the rest of his team-mates. 

The majority of the crowd have disappeared, though, which means it's definitely time for us to go. Thanks, as always, for joining us. There'll be more live coverage on Saturday for the big one - the final between New Zealand and Australia. 

'A bronze is better than fourth'

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We would loved to have played tomorrow but unfortunately things didn't go our way. We have a lot of respect for Argentina. A bronze medal is better than fourth place. I'm just so relieved we won the game. We'll have a beer with Schalk Burger and the guys I've spent so much of my life with.

South Africa captain Victor Matfield

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South Africa beat Argentina

If a match was won by possession and territory alone then victory would  have been Argentina's. They had over 90% of possession and territory in the final 10 minutes but by then the match was already lost.  

BBC

South Africa beat Argentina

Former England full-back Iain Balshaw sticks up for the South African jackal Francois Louw. 

South Africa beat Argentina

Springbok Francois Louw dominated the breakdown, while the South African defence was bulletproof thanks largely to the 6ft 8in Eben Etzebeth who incredibly made 20 tackles - and scored a try. 

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Full-time

South Africa will now be known as the team which finished third at the 2015 World Cup. It was possibly the least entertaining match of the tournament, but understandably so. 

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Try - Orlandi; Sanchez conv

Replacement Juan Pablo Orlandi flops over a mass of bodies like a salmon swimming upstream and the Argentine behemoth touches down, adding a bit of joy to proceedings at the very end of the match. Even the Springboks are smiling. All that flattening and shoving was eventually worth it. 

Nicolas Sanchez easily converts. Game over. World Cup nearly over. 

AFP

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Argentina continue to rumble forward. Regardless of the scoreline, the Pumas want to end the match on a high. 

Best fans?

BBC Sport's Sonja McLaughlan reckons the Pumas fans are the best...

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Two minutes remaining and the Pumas patiently recycle... running into South Africa's 22m... but body can't do what the mind wants it. That is to be expected after six weeks of intense rugby. 

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Under five minutes to go and then we can all prepare to watch Graham Norton and whomever is on his sofa this evening. 

Argentina running into a cul de sac - hooker Julian Montoya pushed into touch as the Pumas attempt to weaken South Africa's defence down the blindside. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Bryan Habana did not have his best match in South African colours this evening and the 32-year-old was off colour in the semi-final against the All Blacks. But the winger has, nevertheless, enjoyed a fruitful World Cup, drawing level with Jonah Lomu in the history books. 

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Praise for Louw

Bath coach Neal Hatley has some nice words for Bath back-rower - and fellow South African - Francois Louw.

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

We're into the final 10 minutes and South Africa have possession in opposition territory. 

The forwards use their brawn before Damian de Allende weaves between defenders but, as has been the story of the match, the attacking team loses possession and a promising period of play ends with a whimper. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Deary me. Handre Pollard with an ugly-looking kick to touch which arrows straight into Argentine hands. The outside-half messed up touch-finder an example of why this match hasn't been of the highest quality.

Who wants to win a plate?

Former England hooker Brian Moore has an idea...

Missed penalty - Pollard

The crowd hiss as they learn South Africa are going for the points rather than the touchline. Who needs tries, eh? 

Handre Pollard takes aims with the crowd's jeers ringing in his ears and his effort hits the uprights. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Bryan Habana looks skywards and applauds as he soaks up the cheers of the crowd. The winger will have to make do with being the joint top scorer in World Cup history because the 32-year-old will now forever be stuck on 15 tries alongside a fellow prime poacher Jonah Lomu. 

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Time is against Argentina, and so too is the ball. Nicolas Sanchez again at the heart of a beautifully orchestrated back-line move, but the Pumas can't quite offload successfully. 

A genial bow from Schalk Burger as he leaves the field for the second time. That's probably the last we'll see of Burger, but there could be another encore.  

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Victor Matfield need tackle no more. The captain's innings comes to an end. That is the last we'll see of him in a Springbok shirt. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

South Africa's forwards gaining ground blade by blade... the whitewash is in sight... but Argentina sniff out the ball. 

Oh, and what have we here - a fracas breaks out. How exciting. 

Eben Etzebeth and Tomas Lavanini are grabbing each other by the neck, their team-mates form a circle. Both locks are smiling as the red mist descends. Adriaan Strauss' hand-off on Lucas Noguera Paz seemed to spark the melee. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

A gash on Francois Louw's head means Schalk Burger is back on the field. The flanker taking Frank Sinatra's lead when it comes to farewells. At least it gives the spectators something to cheer. 

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Fuel gauge running low for both sets of players. Twenty minutes or so until their journey ends. Argentina doing all the running, but again and again they run into a green brick wall. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

What's happening? Nothing too exciting. South Africa have the put-in on the halfway line, but Argentina nick possession... 

Juan Manuel Leguizamon gallops down the blindside before he is gang tackled by Handre Pollard and an unidentifiable team-mate. The move ending before the crowd can truly reach a crescendo. 

South Africa 24-6 Argentina

The men in blue and white are monopolizing possession, but rarely do they have the ball in South Africa's 22m. The Pumas showing the greater attacking intent, but South Africa have a big old feather-soft cuddly cushion of an advantage. 

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South Africa 24-6 Argentina

Farewell Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. The Argentine leaves the field to warm applause and gives Schalk Burger a thumbs up as he trots off. 

Moments later the great Springbok flanker Burger departs. The end of the road for two rugby greats. 

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Penalty - Sanchez

The captain's boot as reliable as ever. Three points for Nicolas Sanchez. The Argentine going toe-to-toe with Handre Pollard for the golden boot. 

South Africa 24-3 Argentina

Oh boy, the Pumas mess up the line-out when they were in prime position 10m from the Springbok line. They go again, however. 

Number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon barging towards the opposition 22m. Flanker Francois Louw comes in at the side, illegally so and, this time, Nicolas Sanchez opts for the posts. 

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South Africa 24-3 Argentina

The referee's whistle louder than anything else inside the Olympic Stadium. Replacement Adriaan Strauss is caught offside and Nicolas Sanchez decides to boot to touch. Three points would only tickle the scoreboard, a try would rattle it. 

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Penalty - Pollard

A beefy run from Jesse Kriel down the right wing, bumping off one would-be tackler and recycling the ball. Argentina are offside, so says John Lacey, and the referee warns captain Nicolas Sanchez that another player could be shown a yellow if they're not careful. 

Victor Matfield tells Handre Pollard to do damage with his boot and the outside-half obliges.

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South Africa 21-3 Argentina

Argentina up against it. They must fight their way back into the light but face a seemingly impenetrable South Africa defence.  

Audacious from Willie Le Roux running across his own tryline, directing a looping pass to Bryan Habana who lets the ball slip through his arms. The winger isn't to be trusted with fine china tonight. Plastic cups for the Springbok during post-match drinks. 

Try - Etzebeth

Peachy handling from South Africa. Bryan Habana with a no-looker of a pass to Eben Etzebeth and the beefy lock slides over the line on his knees. 

Handre Pollard fails with the difficult touchline conversion. 

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Drop-goal - Sanchez

Both teams seemed to be running on empty in the first half, so too the crowd, but a canny dropper from Nicolas Sanchez gives Pumas fans something to cheer. 

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Kick-off

Nicolas Sanchez boots the ball into South Africa territory and we're off. 

South Africa 16-0 Argentina

The penalty which ended the first half took Handre Pollard to the top of the scoring charts. He's a point ahead of tonight's opposite number Nicolas Sanchez who hasn't had a sight on goal this evening. 

In other news, Llandudno are beating Aberystwyth 3-0 at half-time. They're away from home. Incredible. We're commentating on the wrong match, it seems. 

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Defensive Springboks

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South Africa 16-0 Argentina

Surprisingly, Argentina have dominated possession and have spent quite a bit of time in South Africa's end of the field. But it means nothing when you're 16 points adrift. 

BBC

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Half-time

And that's a wrap for the first half. Exciting? Erm, how do I put it nicely... 

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Penalty - Pollard

Argentina slowing the ball in the shadow of their own uprights and Handre Pollard takes the opportunity to turn the screw before half-time. 

The outside-half could kick it in his slippers. Three points. Pollard now the most ruthless accumulator of points in this tournament. 

South Africa 13-0 Argentina

Bryan Habana is stuck on 15 World Cup tries at the moment. The winger has had three half-chances, but has yet to cross the white line. History, like the rest of us, must wait. 

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South Africa 13-0 Argentina

Glimpses of the Argentina which lit up this tournament. Matias Moroni beating defenders during a dance to the South African 22m. The centre, in an attempt to offload, loses the ball though and the Springboks clear the danger. 

South Africa 13-0 Argentina

Decibels rise inside the Olympic Stadium, which can mean only one thing - Bryan Habana has a whiff of a sniff at the tryline. 

Habana kicks ahead, attempts to sneak in between Nicolas Sanchez and Santiago Cordero, but is penalised for taking out Sanchez as the pair tumble to the turf.

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The joy of the game

Former British and Irish lion Iain Balshaw is enjoying the bronze-medal match... (Other beers are available.) 

Penalty - Pollard

Nicolas Sanchez penalised for coming in at the side, gifting Handre Pollard another kickable opportunity. 

Between the posts his effort goes and that's another three points for the outside-half and his team. 

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Watching Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman roam the Australian outback for three hours? Or rugby? 

We know you'll make the right choice...

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South Africa 10-0 Argentina

My, my, my. When will Bryan Habana cross the line? South Africa on the front foot, Handre Pollard with a loopy shoulder-high pass to his left wing... Habana juggles the ball but can't keep hold of it and another opportunity slips by. 

South Africa 10-0 Argentina

The Pumas unable to sustain pressure. Full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino holding on  and the referee toots his whistle in South Africa's favour once more. 

South Africa 10-0 Argentina

Argentina enjoying their most fruitful phase of play. A shuffle of the hips from Tomas Cubelli and the scrum-half has outfoxed South Africa's defensive line and is 10m from the line. Brilliant. 

... Argentina thunder forward... 

South Africa 10-0 Argentina

Argentina have edged the possession - but have seen little of the ball in the South Africa 22.

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South Africa 10-0 Argentina

Nicolas Sanchez spins it wide to Santiago Cordero and the winger's Fred Astaire-like footwork gets the better of one Springbok defender, but not another. Cordero is unable to hold on to the ball and Argentine momentum dies a death. 

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South Africa 10-0 Argentina

Argentina fans at full voice, sensing their team need support as they prepare to put-in on their own 22. 

South Africa not binding straight, though, and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino boots the free-kick down Willie Le Roux's throat in the opposition 22m. A breather. 

What are we watching?

Former England cricketer Matthew Hoggard has either planted a Twitter wind-up, or needs a little lesson in the Rugby World Cup format...

South Africa 10-0 Argentina

Jesse Kriel running ramrod straight in midfield, but the Springboks lose the ball at the breakdown and the Pumas rumble forward. 

Tomas Cubelli light-footed near the halfway line, twirling out of tackles - but neither team can maintain possession... 

Bryan Habana snipping on the fringes... presses the accelerator... decibels rise inside the stadium... but the winger is called back for a knock-on. Deflated spectators groan in unison. Will his time come? 

AFP

Behind the Boks

Former world number one golfer Ernie Els is still showing his support for his national side...

South Africa 10-0 Argentina

A pause in play as the front-rowers flirt with each other as they try to pack down at the scrum. "You go first," says one. "No, after you," says the other. 

Tomas Cubelli is back on the pitch. Eventually he can put in - but the Pumas are penalised, with the referee losing patience for Ramiro Herrera. 

It's not quite going Argentina's way. 

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Not shaken or stirred

Former England international Lewis Moody has chosen James Bond over rugby.

Lewis, how could you leave us like this? I hope there's signal in the cinema to check these live updates. Ahem. 

Pietersen makes his mark

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Penalty - Pollard

Ramiro Herrera's sizeable behind gives Handre Pollard a chance in front of the posts and the outside-half knocks one over to extend his team's lead. 

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South Africa 7-0 Argentina

Argentina, down to 14 men, making a number of errors. Tight-head Ramiro Herrera sticks his bottom out and that's obstruction, so says referee John Lacey. It's difficult to hide a derriere of that size to be honest. 

South Africa 7-0 Argentina

A breathless opening 10 minutes in this match and it's all South Africa. 

JP Pietersen chases his own kick ahead but the ball bobbles beyond the dead ball line. He needed propellers in his boots to get to that one. The Springboks showing adventure, though. 

No try

Is this the moment for Bryan Habana? The TMO is going to judge whether he touched down. It doesn't look like a try to these untrained eyes. And as many suspected, Habana will have to wait for that record-breaking touchdown. Argentina's Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino got there before him. 

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Try - Pietersen; Pollard conv

South Africa's forwards barge towards the line. The Springboks can smell the whitewash but Ruan Pienaar spins it wide... Willie Le Roux sets JP Pietersen free and the winger touches down in the corner. A masterful touchline conversion from Handre Pollard follows. 

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Try review

Did JP Pietersen score in the corner? The TMO will tell us in a jiffy. 

Sin-bin - Tomas Cubelli

Willie Le Roux attempts a razzle-dazzle one-handed pass, but messes up. Luckily for the full-back Schalk Burger comes to his rescue. 

South Africa retaining possession and the referee has spotted a Puma slowing down the ball. Off goes scrum-half Tomas Cubelli for 10 minutes. 

AFP

South Africa 0-0 Argentina

Hello there Argentina, you've got into the spirit of this party early. The Pumas secure turnover ball, their fans whoop and cheer, and the men in blue and white patiently go through the phases without really threatening. 

They're buzzing around the halfway line, but there isn't a sting in anyone's tail and a knock-on brings it all to an abrupt end. 

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Kick-off

The countdown begins... five, four, three, two one... John Lacey's whistle blows... this third-place play-off is under way. 

You know nothing, Jon Snow

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We think Victor might be channeling his inner Jon Snow...

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BBC coverage

The national anthems are over with, which is a relief to those with sensitive ears as a number of players were slightly off key, but it's a crackling atmosphere inside the Olympic Stadium. 

Before referee John Lacey toots his whistle, there's time to remind you that you can get live updates to your phone via the BBC Sport app. If that sounds like your kind of thing, read more about it by clicking here. 

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Five minutes until kick-off

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The Adonis that is Victor Matfield leads his countrymen out into a wall of noise for one final time. Fireworks light up east London's sky and a jam-packed crowd add their voices to the whizz, pop, bangs that fill the air. Those with tickets for this match don't regard this as a medal for the also-rans.

'It's going to open up'

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer is on ITV 1, thanking fans for their support and praising the success of this World Cup.  

"It's been tough turning it around, it's been a really tough week," he admits, referring to getting his players ready for this match after defeat by New Zealand. 

"I love winning. I know this is a quality team and I know they're better than they've showed. I think it's going to open up, it's a bit wet under foot, and it's going to be a cracker of a game." 

Argentina team news

What about Argentina? It's a much changed line-up from the one which lost to Australia in the semi-finals. Unrecognisable, you could say. 

One of the players they are without is Marcos Ayerza as the Leicester loose-head prop suffered a hamstring injury in training and becomes the 10th change to the team.

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Save us a drumstick, Nathan.

Another cracker?

Former Scotland international Gregor Townsend is buoyed for tonight's game...

Should there be a plate final?

As a bit of background, if it's needed, former Russia coach Kingsley Jones is one of many to say he wants an expanded World Cup for teams that do not reach the last eight. Former England hooker Brian Moore seems to agree...

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Try-scoring history?

As we've mentioned, it's been labelled as the match no-one wanted to play in but one man relishing an additional 80 minutes on the pitch is Bryan Habana. 

If the thought of Springboks pounding away at Pumas isn't enough to get the match-day juices flowing, how about the thought of witnessing history? 

We've been saying it for quite a few games, but the winger could become the leading try scorer in World Cup history this evening. He is tied with Jonah Lomu on 15 and this is probably the 32-year-old's final chance to stand alone in the record books. Exciting, isn't it. 

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South Africa team news

The Springboks have selected a strong team for this evening's booby prize. There's been two changes to the team which lost to New Zealand with Victor Matfield one of them, the lock replacing Lood de Jager who drops to the bench. 

The 38-year-old, the oldest player in this tournament, will end his international career by captaining the Springboks at the Olympic Stadium. 

A number of South African greats will say adios to World Cup rugby tonight so you'd have thought. 

BBC Sport

Centre of attention

Who should we keep an eye out for this evening? I've done my own research obviously, but the Rugby World Cup's official website have focused on centres Jesse Kriel and Matias Moroni, and Kriel doesn't stand out simply because of his footwear. 

Players warming up

The Springboks are warming-up on the Olympic Stadium turf. Eben Etzebeth is running back and forth behind the posts. Jesse Kriel is tying his boots. The centre is sporting eye-catching orange and blue togs. To paraphrase Nigel Owens, this isn't soccer, Kriel,

There's a healthy number of spectators already in their seats. Twenty-four minutes and 14 seconds, 13 seconds, no, 12 seconds... Oh, there isn't long until kick-off is what I'm trying to say. 

Cricket South Africa go poetic

Ah bless, there's nothing better than some cross-sport Twitter love. "Backing you yesterday, today and always..." how poetic. 

Leaky tactics

One last thing about Saturday's final, Australia's coaching staff made a rookie error this afternoon as they were pictured with their game plans on full show of the snappers' glare.

Head coach Michael Cheika and assistant Mario Ledesma were spotted holding the pieces of paper at Friday's captain's run at Twickenham.

What did the instructions say? That the Wallabies needed to "expose" All Blacks wings Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea under the ball and  "rattle" Kiwi number eight Kieran Read at restarts.

BPI / Javier Garcia

Team of the tournament

The conclusion of a big tournament means only one thing - experts chewing over who to select in their team of the tournament. 

Former All Black Andrew Mehrtens has had his say and has mainly opted for compatriots. Two Argentines have made the cut - Juan Imhoff and Augustin Creevy - though neither are playing tonight. 

But being as there's only so much you can fit in a tweet and text, let's shorten the decision-making - who would get your pick as player of the tournament (and why)? Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcrugby or text 81111.

The best there's ever been?

Too much of a good thing has been wonderful these last five weeks - 263 tries, 2,351 points scored, 2.4m tickets sold, a world record attendance of 89,000 - but everything must come to an end, I suppose. 

Has this tournament been the best Rugby World Cup in history? "The biggest and the best of all time," is how World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has described the show. 

To read more on the success of this tournament click here and it will take you to an article written by BBC Sport editor Dan Roan. 

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'Hard to bet against All Blacks'

I guess we should mention Saturday's final, being as everyone else is talking about the big ding-dong between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. 

Who will win? It's going to be tight. But BBC pundit Jeremy Guscott predicts victory for defending champions New Zealand. 

"It is very hard to bet against a team playing as well as the All Blacks have been, not only in this tournament, but across the last four years," he says in his latest BBC Sport column. 

"In addition, Dan Carter has been more reliable off the tee than Bernard Foley so far in this tournament, and in such a tight game as I expect that could be crucial."

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Praise for Alun Wyn

As former Wales flanker Martyn Williams says Alun Wyn Jones was magnificent in the boiler room for Wales in this tournament - and during the Six Nations. The other five nominees have also performed well this year, of course. There are no favourites here. 

Jones & Laidlaw on shortlist

But before we get too involved in this evening's match, there's a bit of news to tell you regarding the World Player of the Year award. 

The shortlist has been announced and on it are Scotland's Greig Laidlaw and Wales' Alun Wyn Jones. Congratulations, gents. 

Other players in the running are All Black pair Dan Carter and Julian Savea and Australia's David Pocock and Michael Hooper.

Could a star turn in Saturday's final at Twickenham clinch it? You'd have thought so. 

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Pumas primed

The shirts have been through the wash, match details embroidered on the chest. The white stripes are whiter than white and there isn't a crease in sight. 

Argentina's kit is ready for this evening's brush with the Springboks but are the Pumas primed for action?

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Hello!

Hello! Welcome to live coverage of the third-place play-off match between South Africa and Argentina. It's a battle for bronze, a skirmish to determine who is the best runner-up to the runner-up. 

It's the match no-one wanted to be in and we'll guide you through every thrilling minute. 

Better than leaving with nothing at all?

There isn't anything wrong with being a bridesmaid no matter what people might say. You're still an attendee at the big bash, still allowed to wear nifty kit. Admittedly, you won't be taking home the big prize, or enjoying the golden honeymoon which will follow. 

But at least you've been close enough to know what being the big cheese on the big day could feel like, and there's always the chance of grabbing the bouquet which is better than leaving with nothing at all. So, there you go, there isn't anything wrong with being a bridesmaid.

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