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:
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.
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.
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
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.
South Africa 17-7 Argentina
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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