Fullback Aphelele Fassi and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit were standout performers as South Africa clinched the 2024 Rugby Championship with a decisive 48-7 win against Argentina at the vibrant Mbombela Stadium.
In addition to Fassi and du Toit, wing Cheslin Kolbe, hooker Malcolm Marx, and center Jesse Kriel also scored tries, showcasing South Africa’s dominance in the scrum and their innovative backline play that has been a hallmark of their game this season.
Argentina’s sole try came from flyhalf Tomas Albornoz, but their performance was hampered by disciplinary issues, featuring yellow cards for wing Mateo Carreras and fullback Santiago Carreras, along with a red card for flanker Pablo Matera, which left them vulnerable under pressure.
The match also marked a milestone for lock Eben Etzebeth, who became the most capped Springbok with his 128th appearance, surpassing Victor Matfield. South Africa concluded the championship with 24 points, finishing eight points ahead of New Zealand.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed his pride in the team’s journey, stating, “I am lost for words, it has been a journey and a half, and to bounce back from last week says a lot about our team.” He acknowledged Etzebeth’s leadership and friendship, calling him his brother.
The Springboks opted for Manie Libbok at flyhalf while entrusting scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse with kicking duties, signaling a strategy focused on attacking play. Libbok was instrumental in orchestrating the backline, leading to seven tries for the team.
South Africa quickly took control, scoring two early tries that set the tone for the match. Fassi crossed the line first, followed by du Toit, giving the Springboks a 14-0 lead within just 15 minutes.
Argentina managed a response through Albornoz’s try, but the Springboks capitalized on an advantage after Mateo Carreras was penalized for interference. With momentum on their side, Fassi scored again, and Kolbe added a fourth try, wrapping up the first half at 27-7 in favor of South Africa.
Argentina saw Matera receive a red card early in the second half for a dangerous play, further complicating their efforts. South Africa, now with a numerical advantage, extended their lead with tries from Marx, du Toit, and Kriel, securing their first Southern Hemisphere title since 2019 and a total of five titles overall.
Argentina’s captain Julian Montoya acknowledged South Africa’s superiority, stating, “Credit to South Africa, they were the better team today. We weren’t good enough; we had to be better.”