South Africa overcame a shaky start and a determined Argentinian challenge to clinch the Rugby Championship title, thanks to a second-half surge powered by their imperious scrum. After trailing early, the Springboks reverted to their core strength, suffocating the Pumas up front to secure a historic victory at Twickenham.
The first half saw a different narrative, with Argentina playing with flair and capitalizing on South African indiscipline. An early yellow card for Canan Moodie allowed the Pumas to race to a 13-3 lead, with Bautista Delguy crossing for a try. It seemed an upset might be on the cards, but the tide began to turn just before halftime with a Cobus Reinach try.
However, the second half was all about the Springboks’ forward pack. They established complete dominance at the scrum, which led to a yellow card for Argentina’s Mayco Vivas and opened the floodgates. Malcolm Marx was the primary beneficiary, crashing over for two tries from powerful driving mauls that the Pumas had no answer for.
The match’s London location was a significant talking point. By forfeiting a true home game, Argentina lost a crucial weapon in their arsenal: their passionate home support. The pro-Springbok crowd at Twickenham effectively nullified any home advantage, a point not lost on either coaching staff and one that the All Blacks, second on points difference, would surely note.
While the Springboks celebrated their first-ever back-to-back titles, the win was accompanied by a sense of uncertainty about the competition’s future. With its calendar and even its existence under review, this thrilling tournament may have seen its last champion crowned for some time, making the Springboks’ achievement all the more significant.