South Africa have defeated Argentina 33-31 in a dramatic Rugby Championship clash at the Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium.

The home side edged ahead courtesy of Nicolas Sanchez's penalty on four minutes, which was soon cancelled out by replica effort from Handre Pollard.

Juan Martin Hernandez saw his drop goal attempt reach the target, but once more South Africa hit back through a Pollard pen with a little over 20 minutes played.

Following the theme of the game, Manuel Montero put the Pumas into a narrow lead three minutes later with the first try of the night. Pollard managed to find the target with his next penalty, before Bryan Habana crossed over to put his side ahead.

Argentina took control in the opening stages of the second period, racking up tries through Tomas Cubelli and Joaquin Tuculet, while Sanchez found the sticks with his pen before the hour.

Then began the Springbok's charge, which was led by Cornal Hendrick's, who found the try line and Marcell Coetzee followed in the same manner soon after.

In what proved to be a tense and dramatic finale, Marcelo Bosch converted his penalty to edge Argentina ahead with just six minutes remaining, but Morne Steyn also found the sticks to add three points minutes later to win the contest for South Africa at the death.