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:
South Africa 24-21 Argentina
70 mins - South Africa trying to eat some clock so they at least return to 14 men with Etzebeth’s sin-bin ending. They do a good job around midfield and then win a penalty for a high tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Etzebeth back in the game so just the one-man disadvantage for the Boks.
TRY! South Africa 24-21 Argentina
68 mins - Good defence by South Africa but there’s a bit of room on the right and Argentina are five metres away.
Mallia steps between two defenders but he’s stopped short. Not to worry though, men on the overlap on the left, a miss pass finds Matias Moroni and he has a simple jog over the line.
It’s a tricky conversion from near the left touchline and Boffelli curls it in. Three points the difference in Durban...
South Africa 24-14 Argentina
66 mins - A seventh straight penalty against South Africa and the referee is losing patience. He tells Siya Kolisi he’s happy to keep binning players unless they improve their discipline.
It’s 13 vs 15 for the next 3 or 4 minutes and the Pumas kick to the corner. Can they get this over the line?
YELLOW CARD! South Africa 24-14 Argentina
65 mins - Dangerous competing in the lineout sees South Africa get pinged which gives Argentina another platform to build from.
Into the 22 and yet another penalty comes from a collapsed maul. Faf de Klerk penalised and sees yellow for his troubles. 10 minutes in the sin bin, where he joins Etzebeth. So it’s currently 13 vs 14 but De La Fuente will soon be returning for the Pumas to make it 13 vs 15.
South Africa 24-14 Argentina
62 mins - Penalty kicked to touch and Argentina drive towards the line. A big mass of bodies gets it over the line but no way that ball is able to be grounded through the load of humanity. Goal-line dropout for South Africa and Faf de Klerk, who ahs just come on, boots it up to halfway
South Africa 24-14 Argentina
60 mins - So close to an Argentina try! With a penalty coming, they go to the right, Urdapilleta goes for the line and is stopped inches short. Delguy then does likewise and can’t quite get the offload out, so is also stopped.
Millimetres away and we come back for the penalty.
YELLOW CARD! South Africa 24-14 Argentina
59 mins - Interesting. During the break in play, the TMO checks a replay and Eben Etzebeth is yellow carded for pushing Gonzalez into another Argentine player, that causes the leaping Boffelli to land dangerously. 10 minutes in the sin-bin - that’s harsh to be honest.
14 vs 14 men now, although the Pumas will be restored to 15 in 5 minutes’ time
South Africa 24-14 Argentina
59 mins - Concerns for Argentina as Matias Alemanno is down and receiving treatment. Looks like they’re checking his knee, let’s hope it’s nothing serious.
Incidentally, the conditions are worsening in Durban. The rain has picked up and the wind is swirling.
South Africa 24-14 Argentina
58 mins - Argentina run some phases in the South Africa 22 but turn the ball over and the Boks can clear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments