Argentina v South Africa live: Springboks survive brutal battle to win Rugby Championship title
Argentina 27-29 South Africa: The Springboks retained their crown in a thriller at Twickenham
South Africa survived a brutal battle with Argentina to pip New Zealand to the Rugby Championship title.
The Springboks retained their crown for the first time with a narrow 29-27 win as they took over Twickenham, though really had to fight to secure success. Argentina brought a ferociously physical first-half performance to rock South Africa, needing a victory of any kind to knock the All Blacks off top spot, and take a lead at the interval. Watching on from Perth having beaten Australia earlier, New Zealand’s hopes would have been raised.
The world champions’ power game soon came to the fore, though, opening up a 29-13 lead that looked unassailable. The Pumas showed real spirit, however, to launch a late fightback and had their chances to snatch it late on - Santiago Carreras struck the upright with a penalty that would have made Rodrigo Isgro’s stoppag-time score the match-winner. As it was, Argentina were left two points short, and South Africa emerged as kings of the southern hemisphere again.
Follow all of the latest from the Rugby Championship clash with our live blog below:
How the Springboks took over Twickenham to make more history
How South Africa transformed Twickenham to make more Springboks history
Siya Kolisi celebrates more South African success
“It was a tough day,” Kolisi says. “Credit to Argentina, who came hard. I am so proud of our boys. It was not the perfect game but the fight we show each and every time. The players we have coming off the bench are so special. We have been playing against a quality teams and it has been a tough Rugby Championship.
“Under Rassie Erasmus, you never feel you are going to lose. We took a lot of learnings out of the first game [a defeat to Australia at home]. I could not be more proud of our country, our people who come out each and every week. We know our country goes through a lot and us winning makes people feel good. Thank you so much to the people of South Africa for backing us.”
Cobus Reinach reflects on South Africa's success
“It is unreal [to win consecutive Rugby Championships],” the scrum half tells the hosts broadcaster. “We have not won it ever back-to-back. Going back-to-back shows a lot of character.
“We are growing, there are a lot of improvements still to make. You are not going to run over any team. Argentina are unreal and have a lot of dog in them. Like us, they keep fighting. It is one of the best jobs in the world to be the scrum-half behind our pack.”
SOUTH AFRICA RETAIN THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Siya Kolisi has the Rugby Championship trophy in his hands - for the first time, South Africa have retained the title, again establishing themselves as the class of the southern hemisphere.
FT: Argentina 27-29 South Africa
Fast, furious and physical to the last, but the Springboks emerge as Rugby Championship winners once again.
South Africa retain their crown, beating New Zealand on points difference after the pair finished level on points at the top of the table.
TRY! ARGENTINA 27-29 South Africa (Rodrigo Isgro, 82 minutes)
A flying Rodrigo Isgro has the last word!
The Harlequins wing, in his home parish across the road from his usual chapel, showcases his supreme aerial skill, collecting Santiago Carreras’s well-weighted crossfield kick. Carreras converts, making his missed three from the tee a couple of moments ago costly.
Argentina 20-29 South Africa, 81 minutes
To the maul Argentina go, making five of the ten metres they need but no further. How about the cross kick, though?
Argentina 20-29 South Africa, 80 minutes
Argentina win a last-minute penalty, but whatever they muster will not be enough - South Africa have retained their title.
Can the Pumas finish with a flourish, though?
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