Argentina v South Africa LIVE: Result and reaction as Los Pumas earn historic victory over Springboks
Argentina 29-28 South Africa: The defeat means the Springboks must win their last match to lift the trophy
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South Africa must wait before getting their hands on the Rugby Championship trophy after a superb 29-28 victory from Argentina stopped them from being crowned champions.
A blistering first half saw no fewer than seven tries as Los Pumas fought back from an early South African onslaught. The Springboks flew out of the traps with tries from Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel helping them to a 14-point lead before Handre Pollard added three more from a penalty kick.
At that stage it was all South Africa but a 10-minute sin bin for Kurt-Lee Arendse swung the momentum. With the extra man advantage, and their backs to the wall, the hosts put on a show for their watching fans.
Mateo Carreras, Pablo Matera and Joel Sclavi all forced their way over the line before a excellent dummy from Tomas Albornoz sent Argentina ahead. With Arendse restored just a few minutes before the break, Cobus Reinach sprinted in for a try and made it a four-point game heading into the second half.
A more tactical 40 minutes followed with the lead switching hands due to penalty kicks and no tries being scored. Substitute fly-half Manie Libbok had the chance to win the game in the 79th minute but whipped a kick wide and Los Pumas hung on to clinch the win by a point.
Relive the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
Full-time! Argentina 29-28 South Africa
Los Pumas turn over the ball! They’ve won it right at the death and South Africa have to wait for the Rugby Championship title. The competition will be decided in the final round.
An insanely entertaining encounter comes to an end with Argentina nicking the win by a point!
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
79 mins: Libbok sends it wide!
Oh wow. Talk about drama. There might still be time for South Africa to win this but that was the moment to make sure and the substitute fly-half missed it.
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
78 mins: Argentina get out of the scrum but give away a penalty advantage with their first tackle. It’s a foul right in front of the sticks so Manie Libbok decides to kick.
This could be the match...
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
77 mins: A knock on by Argentina, just inside their own half means South Africa will have another go at the scrum. Less than three minutes to play, how crucial will this be?
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
74 mins: What a result from Los Pumas! South Africa try to drive too early and break the scrum meaning the ball is awarded to Argentina.
They need to control the ball from a few minutes. Another try, heck a penalty, might be enough to win them this game.
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
72 mins: South Africa win a scrum within kicking distance of the posts. Argentina need to be strong and avoid giving up any penalties.
It’s that close of a game. Any mistake now could be fatal.
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
71 mins: Less than 10 minutes to play and South Africa trail. How will they end this match, the Rugby Championship is on the line if they can get past Los Pumas.
Time is ticking away.
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
69 mins: Argentina break through Tomas Albornoz who darts into space and drives his team up the pitch. They’re in a great position after a dainty pass round the corner and a hand-off from the fly-half but can’t convert that into a try.
Instead they kick from a penalty and Albornoz puts Argentina back into the lead. Game on.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
66 mins: Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s usual captain, isn’t part of the squad today but is still in the dugout and is living every moment of this match.
There’s a lot of scrappiness settling in on this game with players pushing and shoving to get to a high ball. Again more stoppages and a scrum to Los Pumas.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
63 mins: The game has become stop-start with lots of set pieces. South Africa are happy about that due to how strong their scrum is. Argentina look like they’re heading into their energy reserves already.
They need to bounce back into life.
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