South Africa v Argentina LIVE: Score and latest updates from Rugby Championship decider

The Springboks host Argentina in the final match of the 2024 Rugby Championship, with the tournament on the line for both sides

(AP)

South Africa host Argentina for a decisive showdown today in the final match of the Rugby Championship.

The final match of the Championship is the reverse of last week’s fixture in South America, where Los Pumas pulled off an enthralling 29-28 win over the Springboks to take the tournament to the final day.

Argentina will be aware that repeating that result away from home is an incredibly difficult feat, and they enter the final match knowing that they require a bonus-point victory over their hosts if they are to win the competition for the very first time. Meanwhile, the Springboks know that all they need is a single bonus point in order to secure the title as lock Eben Etzebeth becomes the nation’s most capped player.

Follow all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:

South Africa v Argentina LIVE

• South Africa and Argentina face off in Rugby Championship decider
• Springboks are favourites to win match and tournament despite dramatic loss last weekend
• Pumas must win by more than seven points while scoring three tries more than their opponents to clinch historic title
• 8’ - TRY! Fassi barrels over after Springboks dominance (SA 7-0 ARG)
• 14’ - TRY! Du Toit goes aerial to acrobatically dot down (SA 14-0 ARG)

[28 September 2024 16:26 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 17-7 Argentina (Jaden Hendrikse)

22 mins

Good response from the Springboks, although really it’s poor from the Pumas.

Grondona is penalised for advancing from an offside position almost immediately after the restart and it’s a simple three points, duly slotted by Jaden Hendrikse.

[28 September 2024 16:24 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 14-7 ARGENTINA (Tomas Albornoz)

19 mins

And they do! Exactly what Argentina needed. A great line-break through the Sprinbok defence from Grondona after a offload from Oviedo and a perfectly-timed pass sets Tomas Albornoz away under the posts for a vital try.

Simple conversion and the Pumas are back in this match.

[28 September 2024 16:22 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 14-0 Argentina

18 mins

A bouncing ball just goes the wrong way to stop Kolbe picking up and potentially racing in for a third try. Pumas breathe again and then work some possession in the Springbok half. They have to make something of this.

[28 September 2024 16:18 · Luke Baker]

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 Argentina (Pieter-Steph du Toit)

14 mins

Not stopped for long though! South Africa are patient from close range and Pieter-Steph du Toit goes aerial, over the pile, to acrobatically dot down for the try.

The TMO checks the grounding and it’s all good. Hendrikse adds the touchline conversion and South Africa are rolling here!

[28 September 2024 16:16 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 7-0 Argentina

13 mins

A fifth scrum and a fifth penalty against the Pumas. The Springboks front row are obliterating their opposing trio and it’s remarkable that Argentina still have 15 men on the field?

South Africa come again and Kolisi makes a dart down the blindside. Stopped inches short of the line!

[28 September 2024 16:14 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 7-0 Argentina

11 mins

Can Argentina respond to that early setback? Decent possession in the Boks half but Kolbe pinches an interception and is off to the races.

The defence covers though and hauls him down on the 22 before turning the ball over and booting clear. Breathless stuff so far in a cauldron of an atmosphere.

[28 September 2024 16:12 · Luke Baker]

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 7-0 Argentina (Aphelele Fassi)

8 mins

And at last, it’s there! The Springboks lead as Aphelele Fassi barrels over. The ball is flung right from the scrum, Fassi comes on to the ball at pace, runs a great line, squeezes between two defenders and powers over the line.

Simple conversion and the Boks lead 7-0 after dominating. Fassi is growing into that No 15 jersey with each passing game.

[28 September 2024 16:10 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 0-0 Argentina

6 mins

Again, Argentina penalised at the scrum as Ox Nche dominates his opposite number and South Africa fling the ball to the backs.

All the way across to the right, then back to the left, De Allende darts inside a man and gets stopped five metres out. He knocks on trying an over-the-top pass but we’re back for another penalty.

Surely a penalty try if this scrum goes down?

[28 September 2024 16:08 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 0-0 Argentina

5 mins

A reset scrum initially as the slick conditions see both front rows slipping and sliding. Second time it’s clean, the Springboks drive and look set to score but the Pumas pinged again, another penalty for the hosts.

How is that not a penalty try? Anyway another scrum

[28 September 2024 16:06 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 0-0 Argentina

3 mins

Side entry from the Pumas at the breakdown, so another Boks penalty five metres out and they go for the scrum! Time for the fearsome pack to make a statement.