Argentina protected a dramatic 29-28 win against South Africa to stop the world champions from winning the Rugby Championship title with a game to spare in Santiago. The Springboks, who would have secured this year’s crown with a victory, raced into the main with tries from Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel before the hosts responded in impressive fashion.
Mateo Carreras, Pablo Matera, Joel Sclavi and Tomas Albornoz each went over the line to put the Pumas gaining in hot and humid conditions.
Cobus Reinach scored a try just before half-time to reduce Argentina’s advantage to 26-22 at the break.
Penalties from Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok lifted the visitors in front again, only for an Albornoz penalty to put the home side 29-28 up. Libbok had a late penalty chance to restore his side’s lead, but sent his exertion wide before Argentina held on for a famous win. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes for the game, but would not blame the players coming in for the loss.
“The loss is not nice, but for some of the younger guys to experience this stadium and how Argentina loosens up the game, it will help them in the future,” said Erasmus.
“It hurts a lot, I assure you. We have to point the fingers at ourselves, not just the players but also the coaches and the management.”
The downfall was South Africa’s first in five games in this year’s Rugby Championship, which also includes New Zealand and Australia, but they continue top of the table on 19 points.
They are pointing to secure a first title win in the competition since 2019 and host second-placed Argentina, who have 14 points, in the final game for both teams next Saturday, 28 September.
“Congratulations to Argentina, they stuck at it and did not go away,” said South Africa’s stand-in captain Salmaan Moerat.
“They put us under a lot of pressure but we played good rugby for much of the game.”
Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand beat Australia 31-28 in Sydney. BBC
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