Jasper Wiese made a man-of-the-match performance in South Africa’s 32-12 win over Argentina in the opening game of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Leicester Tigers No8 Wiese, in his fourth Test cap, was prominent in carries and tackles for the Springboks as they launched their Championship with a bonus-point victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

New Tigers signing Marco van Staden was among the ‘Boks replacements while club colleagues Julian Montoya and Matias Moroni were part of the Pumas starting line-up.

Wiese told the SA Rugby website afterwards: “At the Springboks, you are playing for something much bigger than yourself. It’s been amazing for me to experience how unbelievable the guys are, how positive they are around one another, and how we get each other ready for big days. I’ve learned to put myself behind the team and to give everything for them.”

Cobus Reinach, Aphelele Fassi and debutant Jaden Hendrikse provided the tries for South Africa with Elton Jantjies kicking 17 points from five penalties and a conversion. Nicolas Sanchez kicked the Argentina points.

The teams meet again on Saturday in the next round of the tournament before facing Australia and New Zealand during September.