South Africa ended their hoodoo at the FNB Stadium with a commanding nine-try victory over Argentina in their 2013 Rugby Championship opener.

The Springboks had lost on both occasions in their only two matches in the 95,000-seater stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, but there was never any danger of them suffering a defeat against the South American side as they ran riot in the second half.

A penalty try and JJ Engelbrecht's effort, plus 16 points from Morne Steyn, put the hosts 26-6 in front at half-time, before Adriaan Strauss, Willem Alberts, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Duane Vermeulen and Bismarck du Plessis all crossed after the interval, with Steyn adding another six conversions

Felipe Contepomi scored all of Argentina's points by converting his own try and adding two penalties, but it mattered little as South Africa cruised to a win.

The hosts dominated possession from the off and were 6-0 ahead inside the opening 10 minutes thanks to two penalties from Steyn before he added a third to restore their six-point lead after Contepomi had halved the deficit.

Contepomi once again reduced the deficit to three points after Strauss was penalised for hands in the ruck, but that was as good as it got for the Pumas, who conceded a penalty try in the 29th minute for an intentional knock down, with Eusebio Guinazu shown a yellow card.

Steyn added the extras and it was the talismanic fly-half who broke from deep inside his own half three minutes later after the ball had been turned over to tee up Engelbrecht for an easy try.

Steyn once more slotted the conversion and added a penalty just before the interval to open up a commanding 20-point lead.

It got even better for the hosts, who won a lineout before Strauss drove over the try line four minutes after the re-start, with Leonardo Senatore then becoming the second Argentinian to receive a yellow card after tip-tackling Engelbrecht.

South African dominance of the lineout continued as Alberts drove over the line in the 51st minute, with Steyn missing his only conversion, and they had their fifth try soon after as De Villiers intercepted a pass before cutting through several defenders to cross the whitewash.

Substitute Du Preez crossed just after the hour mark following good work from De Villiers and Habana, who then registered his side's seventh try after 65 minutes.

Vermeulen and Du Plessis also crossed to seal a memorable victory for the Springboks although they were denied their biggest-ever victory over Argentina when Contepomi grabbed a consolation try at the death.

Following the Championship's earlier match, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen hit out at those who doubted his selection of returning skipper Richie McCaw and flyhalf Aaron Cruden. Having just watched his All Blacks side hammer Australia 47-29 at Sydney's Olympic Stadium, Hansen chose the moment well to hit back at his detractors.

"For Richie to come back after having the break and everyone doubting him, to get through the 70 minutes like he did just shows the character of the bloke once again, so hopefully there won't be any more doubters," he said.

The defending champions' coach followed up by heaping praise on Cruden, who scored a try and 13 points from the kicking tee but most importantly ran the All Blacks attack with aplomb in place of the injured Dan Carter, as new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie endured a baptism of fire.

"People have questioned Aaron Cruden at times at this level and I think he showed tonight that he's a true international player of world- class ability and he led the team very well," Hansen said.

McCaw, who gave up a couple of early penalties and fumbled one pass early in his 117th test, said he had enjoyed being back in international rugby after missing the three-match series against France in June.

"I was just excited to be out there and run around," he said. "The first 20 minutes I was a bit over-eager at times but I settled into it. But it was good fun to be involved again."

Hansen said the All Blacks had injury concerns over lock Luke Romano (groin) and Cruden (knee) and that Liam Messum would not be fit for the return test against Australia in Wellington next weekend.