South Africa vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result as Springboks win but miss out on title
South Africa 38-21 Argentina: The Springboks needed to beat the Pumas by 40 points to snatch the Rugby Championship away from the All Blacks
New Zealand were crowned Rugby Championship winners after South Africa fell short of an imposing target to snatch the title away from the All Blacks.
The All Blacks’ big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday meant that the Springboks had to beat Argentina by 40 points to snatch the title away from New Zealand.
They fought valiantly in Durban but only managed a 38-21 victory as they missed a number of chances throughout the game and the Pumas hit back strongly in the second half.
It means the All Blacks retain the title they won last year, as the Springboks finish second in the table - level on points with New Zealand but crucially trailing in the points difference stakes.
Relive all the action with us below:
PENALTY TRY! New Zealand 17-0 Australia
27 mins - No yellow card, just the penalty for James Slipper’s offside. Kickable but the All Blacks go to the corner instead.
Lineout sealed and the drive is on, inexorably heading for the line and it’s hauled down. Andrew Brace’s arm goes up, that’s a penalty try! Seven more points and a yellow card for Australia as hooker Dave Porecki sent to the sin-bin.
New Zealand 10-0 Australia
25 mins - New Zealand straight on the attack again. Great break from broken play by Ioane as he scythes between defenders and gets over halfway. Has Jordan outside him but doesn’t give the pass and cuts inside instead, allowing the defence to cover and stop him. Probably the wrong decision
The Wallabies then give up the penalty. We’ve got a stoppage in play with a man down but this could be another yellow card.
TRY! New Zealand 10-0 Australia
24 mins - Can the All Blacks build on those first points? Straight back on the attack - powerful carries by Ioane and Lomax take them into the 22.
Ball spread right and Will Jordan is gone! Gets outside Petaia, slides between two defenders and shows his electric feet to race over the whitewash. Sublime!
Mo’unga adds the conversion and suddenly the All Blacks are 10 points to the good
PENALTY! New Zealand 3-0 Australia
21 mins - Another warning for Australia for penalties in quick succession. This time the All Blacks go for the posts. A simple kick for Richie Mo’unga and he makes no mistake. First blood New Zealand
New Zealand 0-0 Australia
20 mins - Foley tries to stab a grubber through but it dribbles fairly ineffectively out of play. New Zealand move their way up to the Wallabies 10-metre line.
They lose the lineout but scrappy play from Australia sees them cough it up and now the All Blacks are into the 22. Going through the phases and they win a penalty for offside.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia
17 mins - Not sure how it’s still 0-0 here! An utterly compelling first 16 minutes.
Harry Wilson knocks on in the New Zealand 22 after a great tackle by Jordie Barrett. All Blacks win the scrum and exit. Quick water break as Barrett gets some running repairs to a head knock, with blood pouring from the side of his face.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia
15 mins - Strong forward play. Porecki and Alaalatoa with strong carries approaching the All Blacks line. Penalty to New Zealand though. Which hooker Codie Taylor taps and goes!
Nice ground made by Rieko Ioane as he bounces off a couple of tackles and kicks into space. Wallabies retreat gather, and fire a pass to Koroibete, who surges back, chips over the defence and gathers his own chip near halfway. Then kicks ahead again and New Zealand retreating. Breathless stuff!
New Zealand 0-0 Australia
12 mins - Decent exit by Australia and although New Zealand run the ball back form their own half, they get pinged on halfway. Wallabies kicks to touch and they’ve flipped the field here - a lineout 10 metres out. Jed Holloway back on as well so it’s 15 vs 15 again. No damage done for the visitors in that 1-minute spell
New Zealand 0-0 Australia
10 mins - WOW! The Aussies survive. New Zealand claim the lineout but they’re pinged for being off their feet at the subsequent breakdown. Penalty Australia!
They clear out of the 22 and there’s only a little over a minute of the Holloway sin-bin left now. Good work by the Wallabies
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