Pierre Spies' try began the rout in the second half

A seven-try second-half blitz earned South Africa a thumping 63-9 victory over Argentina in Johannesburg.

The visitors took a 9-0 first-half lead before Adrian Jacobs and debutant Jongi Nokwe put the home side 14-9 in front.

The second half saw Joe van Niekerk and JP Pietersen touch down twice, while Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez and Bismarck du Plessis also scored.

Butch James added nine conversions, while fly-half Felipe Contepomi kicked all of Argentina's points.

The emphatic victory in the one-off Mandela Test at Ellis Park will give the world champions a huge confidence boost ahead of their crucial Tri-Nations encounter against New Zealand in Cape Town next Saturday.

And just as important was the return of World Cup-winning scrum-half Du Preez, who has not played in a green shirt since the victory over England in Paris last November.

The match ended in complete contrast to how it began as the tourists took a 9-0 lead within the first 25 minutes.

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Contepomi punished a series of uncharacteristic Springbok errors with three successive penalty kicks.

But man-of-the-match Jacobs kick-started South Africa's response courtesy of a brilliant line break by centre partner Jean de Villiers on 33 minutes.

And Nokwe - making his debut on the wing in place of the injured Bryan Habana - touched down for his first international score two minutes later, with James converting both scores.

South Africa coach Pieter de Villiers' half-time team talk had its desired effect as the hosts racked up 39 unanswered second-half points.

Number eight Spies began the scoring before Pietersen grabbed his first minutes later

De Villiers soon introduced Du Preez and the half-back scored his side's fifth try after picking up a loose ball and bursting through Argentina's battered defence.

Van Niekerk celebrated his 50th cap with two tries before Pietersen touched down his kick and chase in the final moments.

South Africa: Jantjes; Pietersen, Jacobs, de Villiers, Nokwe; James, Januarie; Mtawarira, Du Plessis, Van der Linde, Botha, Matfield, Watson, Smith, Spies.
Replacements: Strauss, Mtawarira, Mujati, Bekker, Kankowski, Pienaar, Grant.

Argentina: Stortoni, Piossek, Aramburu, Avramovic, Agulla, Contepomi (capt), Vergallo, Roncero, M Ledesma, P Ledesma, Alvarez, Albacete, Durand, Fernandez Lobbe, Leguizamon
Replacements: Basualdo, Ayerza, Lozada, Galindo, Lalanne, Urdapilleta, Carballo

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)