Springboks destroy Argentina to lift Rugby Championship title

The Springboks proved far too strong for Argentina in their Rugby Championship title decider at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.

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Rassie Erasmus’s world champions won 48-7 after leading 27-7 at half-time.

The match marked a new Springbok caps record of 128 Tests for lock Eben Etzebeth.

Etzebeth also became the winningest Springbok of all time with his 80th victory, breaking out of a tie with Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana.

Victor MatfieldEben EtzebethBryan HabanaSpringbok #705833766PositionLockLockWingTests played127128124First Testv Italy, Port Elizabeth, 2001v England, Durban, 2012v England, London, 2004Age on debut242021Last Testv Argentina, London, 2015v Argentina, Nelspruit, 2024v Italy, Florence, 2016Age in final Test3832 *33Test points3530335Tests won798079Tests lost464342Tests drawn253

* Denotes still active

Argentina had needed to win with a bonus point and deny the Springboks any log points, but instead it was the home side who picked up a full-house of five points to win only their second Rugby Championship title since the first tournament was played in 2012.

The Springboks finished with 24 log points, with the All Blacks in second (16), Argentina (14) in third and Australia (5) bring up the rear.

South Africa scored seven tries through Aphelele Fassi (2), Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit (2), Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel.

Jaden Hendrikse added a penalty and two conversions, while Handre Pollard was on target with three conversions.

Argentina replied with a try and a conversion by Tomas Albornoz.

Argentina, who entered the match as the only team not to have received a yellow – or red – card, where badly hurt by three yellows, one of which was upgraded to a red.

TEAMS

South Africa

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am

Argentina

15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo

Substitutes: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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