Springboks edge Argentina to retain Rugby Championship

South Africa clinched back-to-back Rugby Championship titles after surviving a ferocious Argentine comeback in London, edging Los Pumas 29–27 in a gripping contest.

The Springboks, inspired by Malcolm Marx’s double and Cobus Reinach’s brace, built a commanding lead in the second half before a late Argentine rally nearly turned the match on its head.

The match began at full throttle. Within the opening minute, South Africa’s Canan Moodie was shown a yellow card for head contact, reducing the Springboks to 14 men almost immediately. Argentina pounced on the advantage. In the 3rd minute Bautista Delguy finished a sweeping move to open the scoring, and Santiago Carreras converted to make it 7–0.

Despite being a man down, South Africa responded through Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who slotted a penalty in the 9th minute to settle nerves. Carreras, however, kept the scoreboard ticking for Argentina with further penalties in the 17th and 26th minutes, stretching the lead to 13–3.

Just as the half looked to be slipping away, the Springboks struck back. In the 37th minute Cobus Reinach darted through a gap to score, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the extras. At the break, Argentina’s advantage had been cut to 13–10, with momentum starting to swing toward the defending champions.

Argentina’s discipline faltered just minutes after the restart. In the 42nd minute Mayco Vivas was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Eben Etzebeth. South Africa seized control. Malcolm Marx powered over for a try in the 43rd minute to put the Boks ahead for the first time.

The onslaught continued. Reinach grabbed his second try in the 51st minute, converted by Feinberg-Mngomezulu, before Marx claimed his own brace in the 57th minute. Another successful conversion pushed the score to 29–13 by the 58th minute, leaving Argentina staring at defeat.

But Los Pumas refused to fold. In the 65th minute Delguy intercepted to race in for his second try, converted by Carreras. With the score at 29–20, the tension ratcheted up. Carreras had a chance to make it a one-score game in the 79th minute but struck the upright with a penalty attempt.

The match still had late drama. In the 81st minute Rodrigo Isgró collected a pinpoint cross-kick to score Argentina’s third try. Carreras nailed the conversion to bring the margin down to two points at 29–27. South Africa, however, held firm in the final phase to close out the match.

The result meant Springboks despite being 19 points hold the top place in the table with a better points difference compared to New Zealand, who were pushed down to second place.