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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
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.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
60 mins: South Africa look to dominate from the scrum on the hour mark. They win the penalty advantage and sweep the ball quickly out to the left wing.
A fumble from Fassi turns the ball into touch for an Argentina lineout though. The second half hasn’t been anywhere near as bombastic as the first.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
56 mins: Players from both sides are feeling the heat of the day and the heat of the match. Every chance at taking a break is being taken and the substitutes are very much needed here.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
53 mins: Oh yeah, it’ll be a tough one for Argentina to get back into this game. The gap is only two points but they’re being made to work but the South African subs.
The last 10 minutes have all belonged to the visitors. Argentina need to get time on the ball.
Argentina 26-28 South Africa
50 mins: Boom! Manie Libbok, on the field now in place of Handre Pollard, decides to kick for a penalty after a high tackle and boots the ball between the posts from a long way out.
South Africa edge back into the lead. The momentum is slowly creeping their way.
Argentina 26-25 South Africa
47 mins: Fassi is unable to collect a high ball from Pollard but the Springboks turn the ball back over. They don’t hold onto it for long and a kicking game develops in the middle of the pitch.
Both teams need a breather.
Argentina 26-25 South Africa
44 mins: Constant pressure from South Africa but equally decent defensive work from Argentina lock the teams in a sort of stalemate five metres or so from the try line.
An error from Argentina gives up a penalty advantage and the Boks decide to kick with Handre Pollard find the middle of the sticks for three more points.
This may be a more tactical half.
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