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

(AP)

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 vs South Africa LIVE

• REPORT: Argentina shock South Africa to keep Rugby Championship alive by slimest of margins
• Argentina earn slender 29-28 victory over South Africa in the Rugby Championship
• Defeat means Springboks must win round six fixture to claim tournament trophy
• TRY! Reinach closes the gap on stroke of half-time (ARG 26-22 SA)
• TRY! Tomas Albornoz scores after a fine dummy (ARG 26-17)
• TRY! Sclavi drops over after a driving maul (ARG 19-17 SA)
• TRY! Matera gets in from the left wing (ARG 14-17 SA)
• TRY! Carreras punches back for Argentina (ARG 7-17 SA)
• TRY! Kriel breaks the line and dives under the sticks (ARG 0-14 SA)
• TRY! Fassi goes over for the first score of the match (ARG 0-7 SA)

[21 September 2024 23:12 · Mike Jones]

HT Argentina 26-22 South Africa

What does the second half have in store? Can South Africa claim the win and the title or will Argentina secure a famous victory?

We’re about to find out.

[21 September 2024 23:06 · Mike Jones]

HT Argentina 26-22 South Africa

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[21 September 2024 23:00 · Mike Jones]

Half-time! Argentina 26-22 South Africa

40 mins: Not a great deal to separate these teams in terms of points. Argentina have fought back brilliantly after a blistering start from the Boks.

All the play for in the second half.

[21 September 2024 22:59 · Mike Jones]

TRY! Argentina 26-22 South Africa - Cobus Reinach, 39 mins

39 mins: That didn’t take long!

A penalty advantage is taken quickly with Cobus Reinach taking the ball and sprinting for the sticks before switching direction and leaving the defence in tatters.

He scores but Pollard misses the kick.

[21 September 2024 22:57 · Mike Jones]

Argentina 26-17 South Africa

38 mins: South Africa want some control back. They can get it with time on the ball before the break. A couple of minutes to go and the Springboks have a set just a few metres from the try line.

[21 September 2024 22:55 · Mike Jones]

TRY! Argentina 26-17 South Africa - Tomas Albornoz, 35 mins

35 mins: The Springboks hold the Pumas on the edge of the line but a scramble from Marco van Staden gives away penalty advantage.

Argentina tap and run. The ball is dislodged out of the ruck and scooped up by the hosts before coming across to Tomas Albornoz driving towards the right corner.

He dummies, cuts back inside of the nearest defender and crosses the line.

Albornoz then converts!

[21 September 2024 22:51 · Mike Jones]

Argentina 19-17 South Africa

32 mins: It’s hot, it’s humid, the ball is slippy. Argentina are on the attack. Matera is involved in most of their play having moved into the centre of the line to as a playmaker.

They’re patient and win a penalty so decide to kick for touch. More defending for South Africa to do now.

[21 September 2024 22:48 · Mike Jones]

Argentina 19-17 South Africa

29 mins: The match has been turned on its head but Kurt-Lee Arendse is out of the sin bin and the playing field is level again now.

Almost on cue, South Africa drive forward before losing possession and forcing Argentina to boot it clear.

[21 September 2024 22:46 · Mike Jones]

TRY! Argentina 19-17 South Africa - Joel Sclavi, 26 mins

26 mins: Los Pumas are in again!

With field position inside the 10 metres they have a lineout and set off a driving maul. South Africa force the maul into touch but the ball is offloaded as the last possible moment and plucked out of the air by Joel Sclavi.

Sclavi shuffles to the line and drops over for another five points and the lead.

[21 September 2024 22:43 · Mike Jones]

Argentina 14-17 South Africa

25 mins: Kurt-Lee Arendse was the man who collected a yellow card and a 10-minute sit down. It’s been disastrous for South Africa as Argentina have dominated since then.