Iffy Junior Boks pull up socks when it matters to clinch U20 Champs semi-final spot

The Junior Springboks avoided the embarrassment of missing out on the semi-finals of World Rugby's Under-20 Championship in their own backyard with a hard-fought, perhaps even hairy, 24-16 victory over Argentina at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.

Despite missing out on a bonus point and actually finishing level on nine log points with surprise packages Georgia - who boast a superior points difference - Bafana Nhleko's charges still finished top of pool C based on winning head-to-head.

South Africa had triumphed 33-23 against Georgia in their opening encounter in Stellenbosch.

Job done - the #JuniorBoks are into the #WorldRugbyU20s semi-finals courtesy of a great win over Argentina - match report: https://t.co/TKuNNa9orD ??#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/pSqpBh1xU2

However, the host nation's relatively fortunate progression means they'll have to face Ireland in Athlone on Sunday, opponents who've been the most impressive outfit at the tournament to date, along with all-conquering France.

Perhaps that's exactly the dose of perspective the Baby Boks require.

While it's true that they were much improved in the second half and patently excellent in the final quarter, South Africa's interest in the tournament will be cut short abruptly if they repeat the mistakes that littered their play for the first 55 minutes.

Discipline remains their Achilles heel, with no less than 9 penalties being conceded in the opening 40 minutes.

Their front row was eaten for breakfast at scrum-time and a strange unwillingness to clean out at ruck time meant that there were no opportunities for the Baby Boks to play in the right areas of the field.

It also didn't help that their line-outs were a mess.

Unsurprisingly, Pumas pivot Valentino Di Capua had a