The Springboks secured their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 with an impressive 48-7 victory over Argentina in Mbombela on Sunday. This win marked a significant achievement, as despite having won the last two Rugby World Cups, the Springboks had not captured the southern hemisphere title until now.
From the outset of the tournament, which began on August 11, the Springboks demonstrated their dominance, culminating in a decisive last-round win that featured seven tries against Argentina’s single score. The match also celebrated Eben Etzebeth’s milestone as he became South Africa’s most capped player with 128 tests.
Previously, the Springboks missed their chance to secure the title in Santiago del Estero, where Argentina handed them their first loss of the tournament with a narrow 29-28 defeat. However, the squad returned home knowing that only one bonus point was required to clinch the championship.
Despite making 10 changes to the lineup, the Springboks, strengthened by World Cup winners, led 27-7 at halftime. They withstood an effort from the Pumas to mount a comeback, ultimately scoring three converted tries in the final 11 minutes of play.
Argentina struggled under pressure, receiving their first yellow cards of the tournament, including one that resulted in a red card for replacement flanker Pablo Matera. The Springboks signaled their intent early in the match, opting for a lineout instead of a kickable penalty, which set the stage for their first try. Damian de Allende made a crucial play, allowing Aphelele Fassi to break through for the opening score.
Manie Libbok, who had missed a late penalty in the previous match, focused on playmaking rather than goalkicking, contributing significantly to the team’s flow with his exceptional vision and defensive play. Halfback Jaden Hendrikse made a seamless partnership with Libbok, successfully converting the first try.
South Africa’s second try came from a penalty that led to flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit’s score. Although Argentina responded with a try from Tomas Albornoz, the Springboks capitalized on a yellow card issued to Mateo Carreras, as Fassi scoring again reflected South Africa’s relentless pursuit of victory.
As the match progressed, the Springboks continued to dominate, with du Toit and other teammates finding the try line multiple times, culminating in Malcolm Marx’s try from a lineout maul and Kriel’s score from a Handre Pollard chip. Pollard, who replaced Libbok, successfully converted all three tries, solidifying the Springboks’ triumph.
This victory marks only the second Rugby Championship title for South Africa in 15 years, highlighting their resurgence in southern hemisphere rugby.