Rugby Championship permutations: What do South Africa and Argentina need in final round to win title?

The Pumas’ dramatic win over the Springboks on the penultimate weekend kept them in the hunt

South Africa and Argentina are in the hunt for the Rugby Championship title (AP)

South Africa and Argentina are both still in the hunt for a rare Rugby Championship title as the two sides prepare to meet again in Mbombela.

The Pumas’ outstanding win over the Springboks in Santiago del Estero kept their hopes of triumph alive as Felipe Contepomi’s side continued a fine campaign that has seen them beat all three of their tournament foes.

To lift a trophy that have not won before, though, will require Argentina to pull off a shock final-round victory over their title rivals.

The Springboks begin their final fixture five points clear at the top of the table and will be champions for only the second time since the Pumas’ addition to the competition if they secure even a single bonus point on home soil.

Argentina, meanwhile, have to win with a try bonus point and ensure that their hosts do not take a losing bonus point. In the Rugby Championship, teams are awarded a bonus point for scoring three tries more than their opponent, or for losing by a margin of seven points or fewer.

But should the visitors secure the five-point swing they require, the title will be theirs regardless of points difference.

If two teams finish level on competition points, the higher-placed finisher is the one more successful in the meetings between the pair. As Argentina would, in this scenario, have beaten South Africa twice, they would finish top of the table.

New Zealand beat Australia in Wellington in the other final-round fixture. Both the All Blacks and Wallabies were out of the title chase, though the hosts climbed above Argentina with their bonus point win.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE AFTER FIVE ROUNDS

Pos	Team	Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	Points For	Points Against	Points difference	Pts
1	South Africa	5	4	0	1	140	87	+53	19
2	New Zealand	6	3	0	3	175	138	+37	16
3	Argentina	5	2	0	3	163	147	+16	14
4	Australia	6	1	0	5	107	213	−106	5