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:
TRY! Argentina 14-17 South Africa - Pablo Matera, 22 mins
22 mins: South Africa have a man off the pitch which has helped Los Pumas get back into this match, The swing the ball out to the left where Mateo Carreras catches an offload, plays the dummy and drives at Aphelele Fassi.
Fassi has to commit but Pablo Matera had space on the wing and receives the pass from Carreras before running to the line.
The conversion is good.
Argentina 7-17 South Africa
19 mins: It’s a game now! Argentina tend to play better with their backs against the wall and after that start from South Africa they needed a response.
The momentum swung their way after the try and Tomas Albornoz pings a penalty kick in the hopes of moving within one try of the Springboks.
But he misses.
TRY! Argentina 7-17 South Africa - Mateo Carreras, 15 mins
15 mins: Big reply! Santiago Chocobares uses the long levers of his legs to evade a low tackle and breaks through the South African defence.
He’s flying on the left side and has Mateo Carreras for company. The perfect opportunity comes for the offload and he lays of across to the winger who scores!
Argentina 0-17 South Africa
13 mins: Pollard’s penalty from the left side of the pitch is strong, he curls it between the sticks and adds another three points for Springboks.
Argentina 0-14 South Africa
11 mins: The Springboks are on the attack again. They’re unrelenting for Los Pumas and Jesse Kriel plucks control of the ball deep in the opposition half.
There’s a great chance to add more points and Pollard goes for the kick.
TRY! Argentina 0-14 South Africa - Jesse Kriel, 8 mins
8 mins: Another one! South Africa have come out all guns blazing here.
A line break and slick offload gets the Argentina defence on the backfoot and more quick hands float the ball into the path of Jesse Kirel. He flies through a gap and dives in under the sticks.
Pollard converts.
Argentina 0-7 South Africa
7 mins: This game isn’t quite at mismatch levels but South Africa look like they’re playing at a higher gear already and we’re only a few minutes into the match.
Argentina turn the ball over then clear their lines. That’s about the best they can do at the minute as they look to settle back into the game.
TRY! Argentina 0-7 South Africa - Aphelele Fassi, 4 mins
Try! South Africa have the first score of the game and it’s pretty simple in the end. A penalty kick into touch to gain field position. Moving the ball quickly from the lineout, across to Handre Pollard.
Pollard picks out Aphelele Fassi who flies into space and leaps over the line. Pollard converts for the extra two.
Argentina 0-0 South Africa
3 mins: Cobus Reinach feeds a scrum and South Africa swep the ball out to the right wing after forcing Argentina back from the scrum.
Kurt-Lee Arendse tries to get into space but is flipped onto his back in a heavy tackle. Argentina are here to play.
Kick off! Argentina 0-0 South Africa
Los Pumas get the match underway and fly quickly up the pitch to put some early pressure on the Springboks. They win themselves a lineout but Gonzalo Bertranou fumbles a catch and hands the ball back to the visitors
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