South Africa v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction as Springboks thrash Pumas to seal Rugby Championship title
South Africa 48-7 Argentina: The Springboks run riot with seven tries to beat the Pumas to the Rugby Championship crown
South Africa destroyed Argentina 48-7 in their decisive showdown to seal the 2024 Rugby Championship title in style.
The final match of the Championship was 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.
However, a week on the Springboks were utterly dominant as they ran in seven tries to blow away their overmatched opponents at Mbombela Stadium.
Lock Eben Etzebeth became the nation’s most-capped player and they celebrated with scores from Aphelele Fassi (2), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2), Cheslin Kolbe, Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel in front of a raucous home crowd.
Relive all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
SIN-BIN! South Africa 27-7 Argentina (Pablo Matera)
57 mins
It never rains but it pours. Pablo Matera is sent to the sin-bin after the TMO spots him dangerously clearing out Vincent Koch. Matera tucks his arm and makes contact with the head...
Clear yellow card and when the bunker reviews it, I expect that could be upgraded to a red...
South Africa 27-7 Argentina
57 mins
Pumas keep it tight - pick and go’s from the forwards as they set up five metres out. Gonzalez a couple fo decent carries but this Boks defence is so well disciplined. A couple of times, passes are floated to the backs but still no dice.
Eventually, a stunning counter ruck and the Springboks turn it over! Brutally efficient defensive set from South Africa and Malcolm Marx is the man who won the turnover
South Africa 27-7 Argentina
55 mins
Both sides starting to bring on replacements now and South Africa are definitely losing a bit of momentum now.
Argentina win a penalty in the Boks half and kick to the corner. Lineout, just over five metres out
South Africa 27-7 Argentina
53 mins
A rare chance in the opposition 22 for Argentina but Mateo Carreras knocks the ball on, South Africa dominate the scrum and clear their lines to halfway.
South Africa 27-7 Argentina
50 mins
Jasper Wiese has entered beast mode at the start of this second half - the Boks No 8 just hauling defenders with him on every carry.
A bit of a phony war so far since half-time, with lots of stopping and starting. South Africa try to build something in the Argentina half.
MISSED PENALTY! South Africa 27-7 Argentina (Jaden Hendrikse)
46 mins
Not much has gone wrong for South Africa today but that’s a poor kick by Jaden Hendrikse from the tee. He shanks the penalty wide and the lead stays at 20.
South Africa 27-7 Argentina
44 mins
Zombie by the Cranberries rings round Mbombela Stadium with the Boks fans, of course, replacing Zombie with Rassie, in acknowledgement of their coach. The atmosphere has been superb.
The Bomb Squad start to make an appearance as Gerhard Steenekamp comes on for Ox Nche in the front row
KICK-OFF! South Africa 27-7 Argentina
41 mins
Back underway as the Springboks look to play out their title win. Wiese immediately goes on a barrelling run, dragging defenders with him to make 20 metres.
The Boks then surge down the right and only desperate covering defence by the Pumas allows them to force South Africa into touch.
HALF-TIME! South Africa 27-7 Argentina
A scintillating half of rugby from the Springboks, who have destroyed Argentina here. The second half will simply be a procession to the title
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 27-7 Argentina (Cheslin Kolbe)
38 mins
Brilliant feet by Cheslin Kolbe - simply unstoppable! Long pass out to the right wing, where a gorgeous step inside from Kolbe has two defenders wafting at air trying to tackle him and he dives over the line. Simply sublime.
The conversion goes wide but no harm done. The Springboks have all but won the Rugby Championship title
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