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

(AFP via Getty Images)

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:

South Africa v Argentina LIVE

• South Africa obliterate Argentina 48-7 in Rugby Championship decider to win the title
• FULL-TIME! South Africa 48-7 Argentina
• 78’ - TRY! Kriel collects Pollard’s chip to round off the scoring (SA 48-7 ARG)
• 73’ - TRY! Du Toit powers over the line (SA 41-7 ARG)
• 69’ - TRY! Marx dots down at the back of a driving maul (SA 34-7 ARG)
• 38’ - TRY! Brilliant Kolbe footwork delivers fourth Boks try (SA 27-7 ARG)
• 33’ - TRY! Fassi dives over for his second try after neat work by Kolbe (SA 22-7 ARG)
• 19’ - TRY! Albornoz races away under the posts to finish neat Pumas move (SA 14-7 ARG)
• 14’ - TRY! Du Toit goes aerial to acrobatically dot down (SA 14-0 ARG)
• 8’ - TRY! Fassi barrels over after Springboks dominance (SA 7-0 ARG)

[28 September 2024 16:43 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 22-7 Argentina

36 mins

After his horror show last week with the late miss, Libbok is firing passes all over the pitch here and orchestrating the Boks attack beautifully.

OH WOW! Almost a Pumas disaster as Isgro is way, way too casual fielding a kick into the 22, watching it bounce around and not realising Arendse is haring down on him. The South African winger is millimetres away from pinching the ball and scoring a try but can’t gather cleanly.

Isgro gratefully clears but is then immediately substituted off, with Juan Cruz Mallia on in his place. Pablo Matera also on for Juan Martin Gonzalez, who is off for an HIA.

[28 September 2024 16:40 · Luke Baker]

TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 22-7 Argentina (Aphelele Fassi)

33 mins

The Boks go wide to the right, De Allende offloads and Kolbe makes decent yards. Even when he’s tackled he wriggles free, pops a pass from the ground to the supporting Aphelele Fassi who goes over for his second try.

Just superb from Kolbe and Fassi is the benficiary. Hendrikse’s conversion strikes the post but the Springboks are rampant here. The Rugby Championship title is heading to South Africa.

[28 September 2024 16:38 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 17-7 Argentina

31 mins

Great turnover by Albornoz in his own 22 but Kolbe quickly returns the kick clear back into the danger zone. A dart from Kolisi takes them closer but again, the Pumas win the turnover.

Then, De Allende pinches the ball back and the Springboks are in business again

[28 September 2024 16:36 · Luke Baker]

SIN-BIN! South Africa 17-7 ARGENTINA (Mateo Carreras)

29 mins

The crowd are furious as Fassi jumps to claim a high ball but Mateo Carreras makes contact with him in the air and he lands hard. Reckless from Carreras and he will spend 10 minutes in the bin for his troubles.

Argentina down to 14 and this is a great chance for the Boks to take the game away from their opponents.

[28 September 2024 16:34 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 17-7 Argentina

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

(AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[28 September 2024 16:32 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 17-7 Argentina

28 mins

The Springboks fling the ball wide to the right and the crowd get excited as Kolbe receives it in space and charges down the line. But Libbok’s long pass to him is called forward and momentum is halted.

[28 September 2024 16:30 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 17-7 Argentina

26 mins

Worrying scenes as Santiago Chocobares takes a nasty head knock on the way down in a tackle. Medics on and thankfully he’s back on his feet, able to be helped off the field while standing.

That’ll be his game over though and ex-London Irish man Lucio Cinti on in the centres

[28 September 2024 16:28 · Luke Baker]

South Africa 17-7 Argentina

24 mins

Not a great kick from Mateo Carreras and Kriel returns it with interest down the left touchline. Neat inside pass to Du Toit but as a defender covers, the back row sees the ball bounce off his hands for a knock-on.

Argentina finally win a scrum and clear their lines.

[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.