Springboks edge Argentina to retain Rugby Championship crown

The Springboks retained the Castle Lager Rugby Championship with a hard-fought 29-27 victory over Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday, coming from 13-10 down at halftime to seal a memorable win in London.

The result secured a second consecutive title for South Africa, finishing level on 19 log points with New Zealand — who had earlier beaten Australia in Perth — but with a superior points difference of +57 compared to the All Blacks’ +8.

Early struggles and a halftime recovery

Argentina took a narrow lead into the break after capitalising on South Africa’s slow start. Canan Moodie was shown a yellow card in the opening minutes for a dangerous tackle, and with the Springboks down a man, Bautista Delguy scored in the corner. 

Santiago Carreras converted from the touchline to hand the Pumas a 7-0 advantage after dominating early possession.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu got the Springboks on the board with a penalty, but Carreras stretched the Pumas’ lead with two more penalties to make it 13-3. South Africa regrouped near halftime, turning to their set-piece power. 

A series of scrums close to the Argentina line finally produced a breakthrough when Cobus Reinach darted over. Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the extras to cut the deficit to 13-10 at halftime.

Boks surge ahead

The second half began with Argentina spilling the restart before prop Mayco Vivas was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Eben Etzebeth. The Springboks kicked to the corner and Malcolm Marx powered over from the lineout drive to put them in front for the first time at 15-13.

Reinach soon added his second try after sustained forward pressure, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion extended the lead to 22-13. With their pack dominant and substitutions making an impact — including Wilco Louw, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, RG Snyman and Jesse Kriel — South Africa struck again through Marx, who claimed his second try from close range for the bonus point.

Late Argentine fightback

Holding a comfortable lead, the Springboks appeared set to close out the match before a loose pass from Cheslin Kolbe was intercepted by Delguy, who sprinted clear for his second try. 

Carreras converted to reduce the deficit to 29-20.

Argentina refused to fade. Carreras struck the upright with a late penalty that could have narrowed the gap further, but in the final minutes Rodrigo Isgro collected a precise kick from Carreras to score. 

The conversion brought the Pumas within two points, but time ran out on their comeback.

Champions again

Despite a mixed performance — poor in the first half, clinical through the middle period, and scrappy at the end — the Springboks’ composure and physical dominance were enough to retain their crown.

Argentina left Twickenham with pride restored after a spirited showing in front of more than 70,000 supporters, but the Castle Lager Rugby Championship trophy is once again heading back to South Africa.

Scorers:

Argentina 27 (13) – Tries: Bautista Delguy (2), Rodrigo Isgro. Conversions: Santiago Carreras (3). Penalty goals: Carreras (2).

Springboks 29 (10) – Tries: Cobus Reinach (2), Malcolm Marx (2). Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3). Penalty goal: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.