Springboks make more history with back-to-back Rugby Championship triumph
South Africa’s Springboks vs Argentina’s Pumas in Rugby championship. Photo Credit- SA Rugby Mag
The Springboks etched another chapter in their illustrious rugby legacy by clinching back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time, sealing the deal with a hard-fought 29-27 victory over Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday. In a match that hung on the finest margins, South Africa needed only a win to edge out the All Blacks, who had earlier dispatched the Wallabies 28-14 in Perth, on points difference, and the world champions delivered precisely that with four tries to the Pumas’ three. This marks the Boks’ sixth Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship crown in the competition’s 29-year history, a testament to their unyielding dominance on the global stage. As captain Siya Kolisi later reflected, “This team’s heart is unbreakable, we fight for every inch.”
The game unfolded in familiar fashion to the Boks’ recent blueprint: grinding down their opponents in a cagey first half before unleashing their physical prowess after the break, though Argentina displayed uncharacteristic grit by clawing back with two tries in the dying minutes. An early blow struck when Canan Moodie was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, leaving South Africa a man light and allowing Bautista Delguy to sprint into the right corner for the Pumas’ opener. Undeterred, the Boks asserted their forward might, dominating two scrums even with just seven men in the pack, a feat that underscored their scrum supremacy. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu steadied the ship with a penalty to narrow the gap, but two strikes from Santiago Carreras pushed Argentina to a 13-3 lead, testing the South Africans’ resolve.
The tide turned decisively as the Boks ramped up the pressure, their relentless scrummaging finally cracking the Pumas’ defense when Cobus Reinach darted over for a converted try that leveled the scores. The second half ignited with controversy as Argentina’s Mayco Vivas received a harsh yellow for a tackle on Eben Etzebeth, handing the Boks a numerical edge they exploited ruthlessly. From the ensuing lineout maul, hooker Malcolm Marx powered over for the go-ahead score, flipping the momentum. Replacement prop Wilco Louw, true to form, immediately won a scrum penalty upon entering the fray, setting the platform for Reinach’s second try that breathed life into the South African bench. Marx then added his brace, paving the way for Bongi Mbonambi’s emotional return off the pine, as the Boks extended their buffer to what seemed an unassailable lead.
Yet, the Pumas refused to fade quietly, summoning a late surge that exposed cracks in the Boks’ armor. Cheslin Kolbe’s ill-judged speculative pass was intercepted by the opportunistic Delguy, who raced away for his second try and gifted Argentina seven points, cruelly stripping South Africa of a bonus point victory. With the clock ticking down, any dreams of a Pumas miracle were dashed when Carreras’ 78th-minute penalty cannoned off the upright, though his audacious cross-kick in the final play found Rodrigo Isgró for a consolation score. The final whistle brought relief to the Bok camp, but coach Rassie Erasmus praised his side’s resilience: “We didn’t play our best, but we found a way, that’s championship mentality.” The match, a thriller that ebbed and flowed, highlighted the growing threat of Los Pumas while reaffirming the Boks’ status as the team to beat.
This historic double crowns a campaign defined by grit and growth, with the Springboks now turning their gaze to end-of-year tours and the 2027 World Cup cycle. For a squad blending grizzled warriors like Etzebeth with emerging talents like Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the victory at Twickenham, neutral ground turned Bok bastion, serves as a powerful statement. As South Africa celebrates yet another milestone, the golden era shows no signs of tarnishing, promising more glory in the chapters yet to be written.
FAQs on Boks triumph over the Pumas
What was the final score in the Springboks vs Argentina Rugby Championship match?
The Springboks won 29-27 against Argentina at Twickenham, securing the title with four tries to the Pumas’ three.
How did the Springboks clinch back-to-back Rugby Championship titles?
They needed a win to surpass the All Blacks on points difference after New Zealand’s 28-14 victory over the Wallabies, marking their sixth title in the competition’s history.
Who scored the tries for the Springboks in the match?
Cobus Reinach scored two tries, and Malcolm Marx completed a brace with two tries of his own.
What key errors or incidents affected the game’s outcome?
Canan Moodie’s early yellow card allowed Argentina’s opener, while Cheslin Kolbe’s speculative pass led to Bautista Delguy’s second try, denying the Boks a bonus point.
How did Argentina show resilience in the second half?
Despite trailing, the Pumas scored two late tries, Delguy’s second via interception and Rodrigo Isgró’s final-play score from a cross-kick, though a missed penalty prevented a comeback.
