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 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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
2 mins
Springboks immediately on the attack and into the Argentina 22. Big carries by Etzebeth and Wiese.
Boks go left - Fassi to Arendse and they’re five metres out. Penalty coming, so Libbok tries the cross-kick to Kolbe, who is in acres of space out on the right flank but the kick is too long for him.
Back for the penalty and the Springboks kick to the corner!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments