South Africa vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as Springboks hold off Pumas
South Africa 22-21 Argentina: The Springboks withstood waves of pressure from the visitors to sign off the Rugby Championship with a home win
Flyhalf Manie Libbok scored a breakaway try against the run of play to secure South Africa a bruising 22-21 victory over Argentina and earn a second-place finish in the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springboks had to withstand heavy Argentine pressure, some of their own making through poor execution, but managed to grind out the win as they also scored tries through lock Eben Etzebeth and centre Damian de Allende.
Argentina were in the contest all the way but battled to break down the resolute home defence and got tries late on through wing Mateo Carreras and replacement Gonzalo Bertranou as the visitors pushed for what would have been a first ever win in Johannesburg.
New Zealand claimed the Rugby Championship trophy earlier on Saturday with a comprehensive 38-7 victory over Australia in Melbourne but the Boks’ victory sees them end second, with Argentina in third.
Follow live updates from South Africa vs Argentina in the final round of the Rugby Championship below
South Africa 8-6 Argentina, 24 minutes
But Malcolm Marx spares Libbok’s blues, the hooker’s enormous traps holding firm as two Argentina clearers fail to shift him. Holding on penalty - South Africa survive.
South Africa 8-6 Argentina, 23 minutes
Carreras is off, Tomas Albornoz called on to replace him at fly-half. The Gloucester playmaker hadn’t been moving freely for a little while before that Etzebeth score - given how he’s emerged as Michael Cheika’s first-choice pivot, the Argentina coach will be hoping his removal is precautionary rather than indicative of a more serious injury.
South Africa’s ten makes good distance with a clearing kick, but hadn’t realised the pass back to him had come from outside his 22 - Manie Libbok looks curiously at the officials as they grant Argentina a lineout deep in South Africa territory.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 8-6 Argentina (Eben Etzebeth try, 19 minutes)
And Etzebeth tramples over Santiago Carreras to finish it off!
Emphatic! Willie le Roux spots Carreras limping on the touchline, the Puma nursing an injured paw and thus ill equipped to handle a rampaging Etzebeth as Le Roux flings across to his second row giant.
South Africa 3-6 Argentina, 18 minutes
Delightfully worked at the front! Malcolm Marx picks out Eben Etzebeth, who pops back to his hooker at the lineout.
South Africa 3-6 Argentina, 17 minutes
Malherbe is then picked out for putting too much of his (considerable) weight on before the ball is in at the scrum. Argentina look to the heavens, Santiago Carreras sending up an almighty up-and-under, which tumbles forward off a chaser’s hands.
Argentina are offside again soon after; it’s probably just about kickable for Manie Libbok at altitude, but the fly-half opts for a punt up towards the visitors’ 22.
South Africa 3-6 Argentina, 15 minutes
A sloppy transfer off the top to Faf de Klerk leaves South Africa unable to launch anything from the lineout, and that’s untidy in the next movement, too, Frans Malherbe lifting his eyes ever so slightly as he picks out his target in the advancing defensive line and yelping as he drops the ball cold.
South Africa 3-6 Argentina, 13 minutes
Andrew Brace tends to set the tone with his whistle early on, regular interventions in the first quarter a feature of the Irishman’s officiating style. Tomas Lavanini gives him a rather obvious reason to peep, the often ill-disciplined lock about a yard offside and failing to heed the referee’s advice to retreat.
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-6 Argentina (Manie Libbok penalty, 12 minutes)
As easy as they come for Manie Libbok. South Africa are on the board.
South Africa 0-6 Argentina, 11 minutes
Argentina again make a mess with their exit, Lucas Paulos forced to scramble as a hopelessly ambitious offload flies errant and then turned over.
Penalty to South Africa; Manie Libbok will narrow the gap from bang in front.
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