The Jaguares continue to mount pressure on New Zealand sides vying for a wild-card spot in the Super Rugby playoffs, after their win over the Bulls on Sunday (NZT).
Five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez steered the Argentine side to a fifth consecutive victory, as they matched their record for wins in a season with a crushing 54-24 triumph against the Bulls at Velez Sarsfield.
Sanchez, who contributed 24 points, was at the heart of the home side's best moments, setting up tries for wing Bautista Delguy and centre Matias Orlando, as the Jaguares recorded their seventh victory of the campaign.
The Jaguares' forward play, revitalised by coach Mario Ledesma, was key, as the hosts took a 20-10 halftime lead and scythed through an increasingly demoralised South African side's defence after the break.
Flanker Marcos Kremer also went over, as the Jaguares consolidated a fine run of four road wins in Australia and New Zealand, and took sole possession of second place in the South African conference, behind the Lions.
They now sit just three points behind the Chiefs and the Highlanders on the overall ladder, after both Kiwi sides lost their latest outings.
The Bulls were always chasing the contest, but could have taken the lead in the 25th minute, when flanker Thembelane Bholi spilled the ball as he had crossed the line, with the Jaguares 13-7 up after fullback Warrick Gelant's early try.
The visitors added two tries in the final 10 minutes, as replacements Nick de Jager, from a rolling maul, and Andre Warner, from a kick to the corner by five- eighth Manie Libbok, grabbed some late consolation points.
But with their first bonus-point win of the season, the Jaguares were brilliant, as they drove forward in the second half with confident passing and handling.
The pick of their tries came from Orlando, after a break by fellow centre Jeronimo de la Fuente, and a move involving half the team, rounded off by wing Sebastian Cancelliere.
Juan Cruz Mallia's debut off the bench was cut short by a yellow card for a shoulder charge in the 77th minute, but the home side still had time for a seventh try.
Emiliano Boffelli, standing in at fullback for the injured Joaquin Tuculet, touched down as time expired to take his season tally to 10.
Newshub/Reuters
