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South Africa must wait before getting their hands on the Rugby Championship trophy after a superb 29-28 victory from Argentina stopped them from being crowned champions.
A blistering first half saw no fewer than seven tries as Los Pumas fought back from an early South African onslaught. The Springboks flew out of the traps with tries from Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel helping them to a 14-point lead before Handre Pollard added three more from a penalty kick.
At that stage it was all South Africa but a 10-minute sin bin for Kurt-Lee Arendse swung the momentum. With the extra man advantage, and their backs to the wall, the hosts put on a show for their watching fans.
Mateo Carreras, Pablo Matera and Joel Sclavi all forced their way over the line before a excellent dummy from Tomas Albornoz sent Argentina ahead. With Arendse restored just a few minutes before the break, Cobus Reinach sprinted in for a try and made it a four-point game heading into the second half.
A more tactical 40 minutes followed with the lead switching hands due to penalty kicks and no tries being scored. Substitute fly-half Manie Libbok had the chance to win the game in the 79th minute but whipped a kick wide and Los Pumas hung on to clinch the win by a point.
Relive the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
Argentina shock South Africa to keep Rugby Championship alive by slimest of margins
Argentina claimed a historic victory over the Springboks at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades and clung on to a 29-28 win to keep the Rugby Championship alive going into the final round of fixtures.
South Africa, knowing that a win would bring them a first title in this competition since 2019, started a barnstorming first half in the best possible way.
A penalty afforded them the chance to kick for touch before a successful lineout and fast hands from fly-half Handre Pollard swept the ball into the hands of Aphelele Fassi who sprinted into space for the easiest of tries. Pollard converted the kick and the Boks were on their way.
Mike Jones22 September 2024 00:48
FT Argentina 29-28 South Africa
What a game, what a result!
The Rugby Championship is still alive and will be decided in South Africa in the final round of the tournament. That’s waht everyone would have been hoping for.
Expect a revitalised Springboks side for that one.
Mike Jones22 September 2024 00:14
Full-time! Argentina 29-28 South Africa
Los Pumas turn over the ball! They’ve won it right at the death and South Africa have to wait for the Rugby Championship title. The competition will be decided in the final round.
An insanely entertaining encounter comes to an end with Argentina nicking the win by a point!
Mike Jones22 September 2024 00:04
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
79 mins: Libbok sends it wide!
Oh wow. Talk about drama. There might still be time for South Africa to win this but that was the moment to make sure and the substitute fly-half missed it.
Mike Jones22 September 2024 00:02
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
78 mins: Argentina get out of the scrum but give away a penalty advantage with their first tackle. It’s a foul right in front of the sticks so Manie Libbok decides to kick.
This could be the match…
Mike Jones22 September 2024 00:00
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
77 mins: A knock on by Argentina, just inside their own half means South Africa will have another go at the scrum. Less than three minutes to play, how crucial will this be?
Mike Jones21 September 2024 23:57
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
74 mins: What a result from Los Pumas! South Africa try to drive too early and break the scrum meaning the ball is awarded to Argentina.
They need to control the ball from a few minutes. Another try, heck a penalty, might be enough to win them this game.
Mike Jones21 September 2024 23:53
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
72 mins: South Africa win a scrum within kicking distance of the posts. Argentina need to be strong and avoid giving up any penalties.
It’s that close of a game. Any mistake now could be fatal.
Mike Jones21 September 2024 23:51
Argentina 29-28 South Africa
71 mins: Less than 10 minutes to play and South Africa trail. How will they end this match, the Rugby Championship is on the line if they can get past Los Pumas.
Mike Jones21 September 2024 23:50