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 16:00 · Luke Baker]

South Africa vs Argentina

Rousing rendition of the anthems and we’re more or less ready to go here at Mbombela Stadium. As a reminder, Argentina need to win with a bonus point and deny the Springboks a bonus point to snatch the Rugby Championship title. Otherwise it’s going to South Africa.

[28 September 2024 15:55 · Luke Baker]

South Africa vs Argentina

Not long until kick-off now. This should be a cracker

(AFP via Getty Images)

[28 September 2024 15:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa vs Argentina

It may lack the history and hype of an Ellis Park or Loftus Versfeld, but Mbombela Stadium is a lovely spot and looks to be jumping today as the Springboks bid to secure a title they haven’t won since 2019. South African sprinting great (and Paris 2024 medallist) Akani Simbine is in the house:

[28 September 2024 15:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Rodrigo Isgro gets a start

A senior player at Harlequins recently told me that there is plenty of excitement at the club about what Rodrigo Isgro might bring when he finally arrives in London. The flying wing, part of Argentina’s sevens squad at Paris 2024, signed for the Premiership side late in the summer having been a star on the short-form circuit over the last couple of seasons.

Lucio Cinti has added huge value at London Irish and Saracens having been picked up via a similar pathway, and Harlequins hope to benefit with a prowling Puma. Isgro was part of Michael Cheika’s squad at last year’s World Cup but could not really force his way up the pecking order in a competitive outside backs room - this is an opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a big stage.

[28 September 2024 15:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Cheslin Kolbe ready to step in if kicking issues continue for Manie Libbok

It feels a strong decision from Rassie Erasmus to back Manie Libbok, whose issues from the tee are beginning to overshadow his obvious gifts as a playmaker. With Handre Pollard on the bench, Erasmus has ensured that he has his nerveless closer to come on later on if required, but the multi-talented Cheslin Kolbe has also volunteered his services if Libbok gets the yips.

“I’m comfortable kicking for goals,” Kolbe told reporters. “I’ve been working on it throughout the season, and the kickers and (attack coach) Tony (Brown) have been giving me tips.

“We have played in a few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team.

“Argentina are a phenomenal side and have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week gave me advice, so I know what to expect.”

(Getty Images)

[28 September 2024 15:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa vs Argentina match officials

Back to Mbombela, and here’s a look at the key officiating team today, which has a Kiwi theme:

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)

ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)

[28 September 2024 15:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

All Blacks sign off Rugby Championship in style with win over Wallabies

Just one more game, then, in this year’s Rugby Championship after the All Blacks signed off their campaign in style with a win over the Wallabies in Wellington earlier.

[28 September 2024 15:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team news - Argentina

Argentina have rung the changes for the encounter in Mbombela, with eight alterations to Felipe Contepomi’s starting side. Marcos Kremer is ruled out with a knee ligament injury and Pablo Matera is dropped to the bench in a back-row reshuffle. Santiago Carreras starts at full-back, Matias Moroni in the centres and new Harlequins signing Rodrigo Isgro is on the wing after his Olympic exertions in sevens.

Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya (capt.), 3 Joel Sclavi; 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 5 Tomas Lavanini; 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 8 Joaquin Oviedo; 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 10 Tomas Albornoz; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Matias Moroni, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Santiago Carreras.

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Pablo Matera; 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia.

[28 September 2024 15:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team news - South Africa

Eben Etzebeth becomes the most-capped Springbok of all-time as he surpasses Victor Matfield’s tally of 127 caps in the second row. Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe are also back in the starting side after being rested last weekend, while Manie Libbok is backed at fly half despite a costly miss late on in Santiago del Estero.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

[28 September 2024 14:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

South Africa vs Argentina

With kick off in Mbombela little more than an hour away, let’s take a closer look at the two sides bracing for battle for the final time in this year’s Rugby Championship...