South Africa have begun their Rugby Championship campaign with a hard-fought 13-6 win over Argentina in Pretoria this evening.

A converted Ruan Pienaar try, coupled with two penalties from Handre Pollard and Morne Steyn, was enough for Heyneke Meyer's side to open their account with a victory.

The Springboks hammered their South American counterparts by more than 70 points when the sides met in this competition last year.

Consequently, Argentina could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when scrum-half Pienaar touched down after just two minutes, before Pollard kicked the extras.

However, Daniel Hourcade's side did well to steady the ship, keeping South Africa at bay while Nicolas Sanchez reduced the arrears to four points with a penalty on eight minutes.

Pollard follwed suit and added three points from the tee later in the half as the hosts boasted a slender 10-3 lead at the break.

Further penalties from Sanchez and Steyn maintained the seven-point deficit by the 53-minute mark.

The visitors truly tested their opposition's defensive line in the closing stages in a bid to salvage a draw, but Meyer's troops held on for the win.