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 0-0 Argentina
9 mins - Damian de Allende now down for South Africa but he’s back on his feet and seems to have shaken it off. Big boot from Steyn to find touch on the Argentina 22 and this is a platform for the Boks to build from the lineout.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
8mins - Argentine prop Eduardo Bello getting some treatment after taking a stray boot to the face on the floor. No harm done though, just a quick clean-up operation.
The scrum battle will be interesting today - these are two fearsome packs. Solid form the Boks just inside their own half and they win a penalty advantage, which we come back for when Moodie is pushed into touch on the right flank.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
7 mins - Enterprising play from Argentina, as a cross-field kick from a lineout comes back on the Pumas side in the 22. Good covering defence from Canan Moodie and then Jaden Hendrikse drag the Pumas into touch.
Malcolm Marx then brilliantly steals the ball at the breakdown to allow South Africa to exit when Argentina attack again. Frenetic stuff so far.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
5 mins - Argentina with the ball but a low pass is spilt by Carreras. Scrum for the Boks.
South Africa build and come streaming forward. De Allende breaks towards the Pumas 22 but misses a chance for the offload, then gets back to his feet after being tackled, so it’s a penalty and Argentina clear.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
2 mins - Early lineout for South Africa in their own half and Malcolm Marx is up to the task. Safely secured. Lavanini collapses a maul to give the Springboks a penalty but they miss touch. Scrappy opening here.
To continue that a Steyn clearance is then charged down by the face of an Argentine player and rolls out for a goal-line drop out.
KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 Argentina
1 min - Underway in Durban. Can South Africa do the unthinkable? Frans Steyn - a man who hasn’t started a Test at fly-half since 2008 - kicks us off.
South Africa vs Argentina
Kings Park Stadium is full to capacity for this final match of the 2022 Rugby Championship. The Springbok fans have turned out in force, hiping to watch their side nick the title away from New Zealand.
As a reminder, they need a 40-point victory over the Pumas to make that happen. They also need to make sure they get a try-scoring bonus point (for scoring three more tries than Argentina) but that’s a fait accompli if they win the match by 40 points anyway.
Anthems completed and kick-off is imminent.
Springboks in the house
Not long until kick-off in Durban and the Springboks are in the house.
Rugby Championship: What happens if all four teams finish level and how is the winner decided?
It is conceivable, however unlikely, that all four teams in the Rugby Championship could finish on 14 points following this weekend’s final round of fixtures in the closely-fought battle for supremacy in the southern hemisphere.
It is more probable two sides will lead the log, but either way what are the competition rules on separating teams?
New Zealand and South Africa currently sit top of the table with 14 points, followed by Australia (10) and Argentina (9).
The Wallabies travel to Auckland to face New Zealand on Saturday, after which South Africa host Argentina in Durban, when they will know exactly what is required to lift the trophy.
Rugby Championship: What happens if teams finish level and how is winner decided?
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia or Argentina could still win the tournament heading into the final round
New Zealand thrash Australia to put one hand on Rugby Championship trophy
New Zealand allowed no room for controversy on Saturday by beating Australia 40-14 at Eden Park, extending their winning streak at Eden Park into a 29th year and moving clear atop the Rugby Championship table.
World champions South Africa still have a chance to take the title later on Saturday but will need to beat Argentina in Durban with a bonus point, and by more than 39 points, to prevent the All Blacks retaining their crown.
The first match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Melbourne 10 days ago was made contentious by late time-wasting against Australia that gave New Zealand a scrum from which they scored the winning try.
This time there was no such talking point. The All Blacks scored two tries, including a penalty try, to lead 17-0 by half-time and added three more tries in the second half as Australia paid a heavy price for a lack of discipline.
The Wallabies lost two players to the sin-bin in the first half and conceded the penalty try at a collapsed maul. They have been the most penalised team in the Rugby Championship this season and continued in that vein, allowing passion to rule at times when cool heads were needed.
New Zealand thrash Australia to put one hand on Rugby Championship trophy
New Zealand 40-14 Australia: The All Blacks were rampant to extend their Eden Park record and close in on the title
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