Argentina v South Africa LIVE: Result and reaction as Los Pumas earn historic victory over Springboks

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 vs South Africa LIVE

• REPORT: Argentina shock South Africa to keep Rugby Championship alive by slimest of margins

• Argentina earn slender 29-28 victory over South Africa in the Rugby Championship

• Defeat means Springboks must win round six fixture to claim tournament trophy

• TRY! Reinach closes the gap on stroke of half-time (ARG 26-22 SA)

• TRY! Tomas Albornoz scores after a fine dummy (ARG 26-17)

• TRY! Sclavi drops over after a driving maul (ARG 19-17 SA)

• TRY! Matera gets in from the left wing (ARG 14-17 SA)

• TRY! Carreras punches back for Argentina (ARG 7-17 SA)

• TRY! Kriel breaks the line and dives under the sticks (ARG 0-14 SA)

• TRY! Fassi goes over for the first score of the match (ARG 0-7 SA)

Argentina shock South Africa to keep Rugby Championship alive by slimest of margins

00:48 , Mike Jones

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.

Argentina shock South Africa to keep Rugby Championship alive by slimest of margins

FT Argentina 29-28 South Africa

00:26 , Mike Jones

FT Argentina 29-28 South Africa

00:14 , Mike Jones

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.

Full-time! Argentina 29-28 South Africa

00:04 , Mike Jones

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!

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

00:02 , Mike Jones

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.

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

00:00 , Mike Jones

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...

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

23:57 , Mike Jones

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?

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

23:53 , Mike Jones

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.

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

23:51 , Mike Jones

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.

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

23:50 , Mike Jones

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.

Time is ticking away.

Argentina 29-28 South Africa

23:47 , Mike Jones

69 mins: Argentina break through Tomas Albornoz who darts into space and drives his team up the pitch. They’re in a great position after a dainty pass round the corner and a hand-off from the fly-half but can’t convert that into a try.

Instead they kick from a penalty and Albornoz puts Argentina back into the lead. Game on.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:45 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s usual captain, isn’t part of the squad today but is still in the dugout and is living every moment of this match.

There’s a lot of scrappiness settling in on this game with players pushing and shoving to get to a high ball. Again more stoppages and a scrum to Los Pumas.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:39 , Mike Jones

63 mins: The game has become stop-start with lots of set pieces. South Africa are happy about that due to how strong their scrum is. Argentina look like they’re heading into their energy reserves already.

They need to bounce back into life.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:37 , Mike Jones

60 mins: South Africa look to dominate from the scrum on the hour mark. They win the penalty advantage and sweep the ball quickly out to the left wing.

A fumble from Fassi turns the ball into touch for an Argentina lineout though. The second half hasn’t been anywhere near as bombastic as the first.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:30 , Mike Jones

56 mins: Players from both sides are feeling the heat of the day and the heat of the match. Every chance at taking a break is being taken and the substitutes are very much needed here.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:29 , Mike Jones

53 mins: Oh yeah, it’ll be a tough one for Argentina to get back into this game. The gap is only two points but they’re being made to work but the South African subs.

The last 10 minutes have all belonged to the visitors. Argentina need to get time on the ball.

Argentina 26-28 South Africa

23:26 , Mike Jones

50 mins: Boom! Manie Libbok, on the field now in place of Handre Pollard, decides to kick for a penalty after a high tackle and boots the ball between the posts from a long way out.

South Africa edge back into the lead. The momentum is slowly creeping their way.

Argentina 26-25 South Africa

23:21 , Mike Jones

47 mins: Fassi is unable to collect a high ball from Pollard but the Springboks turn the ball back over. They don’t hold onto it for long and a kicking game develops in the middle of the pitch.

Both teams need a breather.

Argentina 26-25 South Africa

23:19 , Mike Jones

44 mins: Constant pressure from South Africa but equally decent defensive work from Argentina lock the teams in a sort of stalemate five metres or so from the try line.

An error from Argentina gives up a penalty advantage and the Boks decide to kick with Handre Pollard find the middle of the sticks for three more points.

This may be a more tactical half.

Argentina 26-22 South Africa

23:15 , Mike Jones

Handre Pollard gets the second half underway with his team trailing by four. The chase is superb and the Springboks take back possession inside Argentina’s 22!

HT Argentina 26-22 South Africa

23:12 , Mike Jones

What does the second half have in store? Can South Africa claim the win and the title or will Argentina secure a famous victory?

We’re about to find out.

HT Argentina 26-22 South Africa

23:06 , Mike Jones

Half-time! Argentina 26-22 South Africa

23:00 , Mike Jones

40 mins: Not a great deal to separate these teams in terms of points. Argentina have fought back brilliantly after a blistering start from the Boks.

All the play for in the second half.

TRY! Argentina 26-22 South Africa - Cobus Reinach, 39 mins

22:59 , Mike Jones

39 mins: That didn’t take long!

A penalty advantage is taken quickly with Cobus Reinach taking the ball and sprinting for the sticks before switching direction and leaving the defence in tatters.

He scores but Pollard misses the kick.

Argentina 26-17 South Africa

22:57 , Mike Jones

38 mins: South Africa want some control back. They can get it with time on the ball before the break. A couple of minutes to go and the Springboks have a set just a few metres from the try line.

TRY! Argentina 26-17 South Africa - Tomas Albornoz, 35 mins

22:55 , Mike Jones

35 mins: The Springboks hold the Pumas on the edge of the line but a scramble from Marco van Staden gives away penalty advantage.

Argentina tap and run. The ball is dislodged out of the ruck and scooped up by the hosts before coming across to Tomas Albornoz driving towards the right corner.

He dummies, cuts back inside of the nearest defender and crosses the line.

Albornoz then converts!

Argentina 19-17 South Africa

22:51 , Mike Jones

32 mins: It’s hot, it’s humid, the ball is slippy. Argentina are on the attack. Matera is involved in most of their play having moved into the centre of the line to as a playmaker.

They’re patient and win a penalty so decide to kick for touch. More defending for South Africa to do now.

Argentina 19-17 South Africa

22:48 , Mike Jones

29 mins: The match has been turned on its head but Kurt-Lee Arendse is out of the sin bin and the playing field is level again now.

Almost on cue, South Africa drive forward before losing possession and forcing Argentina to boot it clear.

TRY! Argentina 19-17 South Africa - Joel Sclavi, 26 mins

22:46 , Mike Jones

26 mins: Los Pumas are in again!

With field position inside the 10 metres they have a lineout and set off a driving maul. South Africa force the maul into touch but the ball is offloaded as the last possible moment and plucked out of the air by Joel Sclavi.

Sclavi shuffles to the line and drops over for another five points and the lead.

Argentina 14-17 South Africa

22:43 , Mike Jones

25 mins: Kurt-Lee Arendse was the man who collected a yellow card and a 10-minute sit down. It’s been disastrous for South Africa as Argentina have dominated since then.

TRY! Argentina 14-17 South Africa - Pablo Matera, 22 mins

22:41 , Mike Jones

22 mins: South Africa have a man off the pitch which has helped Los Pumas get back into this match, The swing the ball out to the left where Mateo Carreras catches an offload, plays the dummy and drives at Aphelele Fassi.

Fassi has to commit but Pablo Matera had space on the wing and receives the pass from Carreras before running to the line.

The conversion is good.

Argentina 7-17 South Africa

22:36 , Mike Jones

19 mins: It’s a game now! Argentina tend to play better with their backs against the wall and after that start from South Africa they needed a response.

The momentum swung their way after the try and Tomas Albornoz pings a penalty kick in the hopes of moving within one try of the Springboks.

But he misses.

TRY! Argentina 7-17 South Africa - Mateo Carreras, 15 mins

22:32 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Big reply! Santiago Chocobares uses the long levers of his legs to evade a low tackle and breaks through the South African defence.

He’s flying on the left side and has Mateo Carreras for company. The perfect opportunity comes for the offload and he lays of across to the winger who scores!

Argentina 0-17 South Africa

22:28 , Mike Jones

13 mins: Pollard’s penalty from the left side of the pitch is strong, he curls it between the sticks and adds another three points for Springboks.

Argentina 0-14 South Africa

22:26 , Mike Jones

11 mins: The Springboks are on the attack again. They’re unrelenting for Los Pumas and Jesse Kriel plucks control of the ball deep in the opposition half.

There’s a great chance to add more points and Pollard goes for the kick.

TRY! Argentina 0-14 South Africa - Jesse Kriel, 8 mins

22:24 , Mike Jones

8 mins: Another one! South Africa have come out all guns blazing here.

A line break and slick offload gets the Argentina defence on the backfoot and more quick hands float the ball into the path of Jesse Kirel. He flies through a gap and dives in under the sticks.

Pollard converts.

Argentina 0-7 South Africa

22:21 , Mike Jones

7 mins: This game isn’t quite at mismatch levels but South Africa look like they’re playing at a higher gear already and we’re only a few minutes into the match.

Argentina turn the ball over then clear their lines. That’s about the best they can do at the minute as they look to settle back into the game.

TRY! Argentina 0-7 South Africa - Aphelele Fassi, 4 mins

22:19 , Mike Jones

Try! South Africa have the first score of the game and it’s pretty simple in the end. A penalty kick into touch to gain field position. Moving the ball quickly from the lineout, across to Handre Pollard.

Pollard picks out Aphelele Fassi who flies into space and leaps over the line. Pollard converts for the extra two.

Argentina 0-0 South Africa

22:16 , Mike Jones

3 mins: Cobus Reinach feeds a scrum and South Africa swep the ball out to the right wing after forcing Argentina back from the scrum.

Kurt-Lee Arendse tries to get into space but is flipped onto his back in a heavy tackle. Argentina are here to play.

Kick off! Argentina 0-0 South Africa

22:14 , Mike Jones

Los Pumas get the match underway and fly quickly up the pitch to put some early pressure on the Springboks. They win themselves a lineout but Gonzalo Bertranou fumbles a catch and hands the ball back to the visitors

Argentina v South Africa

22:11 , Mike Jones

The national anthems of both countries are played with the players all belting out their respective songs. The Argentinian anthem is an upbeat and rousing one.

The fans are hyped...

Argentina v South Africa

22:02 , Mike Jones

Los Pumas play host the Springboks in round five of the Rugby Championship. It’s a hot day in Argentina and conditions will be tricky for the visitors.

South Africa seem confident though. This should be a good match up.

Argentina vs South Africa

21:56 , Mike Jones

Almost time for this Rugby Championship match to get going. South Africa are overwhelming favourites having won all four of their games against Australia and New Zealand.

Another victory tonight will see them lift the trophy for the first time since 2019. Can they get it done?

Kick off is up next...

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

21:52 , Mike Jones

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a late Australian fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller at Stadium Australia.

The All Blacks were held to one penalty in the second half and lost two players to yellow cards, but their early lead proved enough to earn an eighth straight win over their neighbours and ensure they would retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

The Wallabies will take heart from their second half fightback, especially after the record 67-27 loss to Argentina two weeks ago.

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

Argentina vs South Africa match officials

21:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)

Assistant Referees: Matt Carley (Eng) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Argentina vs South Africa

21:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There were some quite pointed comments from Rassie Erasmus this week on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has not perhaps endeared himself to his head coach by hiding an injury from the Springboks staff to feature against the All Blacks.

“What our players must understand; we have respect for everybody, but we must be honest when it comes to injuries,” Erasmus said. “Nobody who’s got an injury and 80% ready is better than a Springbok who has no injuries and is 100% ready. So Sacha is lucky that we won those Test matches because he gambled a bit.”

The youngster will not feature until November, leaving Handre Pollard to take the reins in these last two Rugby Championship Tests. You’d still imagine that Feinberg-Mngomezulu will regain his spot at the top of the fly half pecking order as South Africa embrace a more expansive style, but the uber-consistent Pollard is just so reliable.

Argentina look to match Springboks back five strength

21:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina are developing real depth in their back five of the pack, with old stagers like Marcos Kremer and Guido Petti joined by youngsters Pedro Rubiolo and Joaquin Oviedo, who are developing quickly to become key figures. It is a mark of the quality at the disposal of Felipe Contepomi that he can leave Juan Martin Gonzalez in reserve to match the Springboks’ bench punch and not feel like he is losing too much from his starting side.

A group still led by Pablo Matera will have to match South Africa today. The visitors are without four of their regular starting five at the back of the scrum - if Argentina can get on top of that remodelled group at the breakdown and dominate the lineout, a shock could very well be on the cards.

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

21:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Both New Zealand and Australia were already out of the Rugby Championship title race when they met earlier, but the pair served up a doozy, with the Wallabies roaring back to threaten a sensational comeback in Sydney. There was just too much to do, though, as the All Blacks rode a fast start to ensure that the Bledisloe Cup will remain on their side of the Tasman.

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

Team news - South Africa

21:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rassie Erasmus makes ten changes to the Springboks side that beat New Zealand, with seven of his squad rested entirely from the trip. Salmaan Moerat leads the side once more after making his captaincy debut against Australia earlier in the competition, with lock Etzebeth set to equal Victor Matfield’s Springbok record of 127 Test appearances if he takes the field from the bench. Handre Pollard continues at fly half.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Salmaan Moerat (capt.); 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok.

Team news - Argentina

21:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina make three alterations with the back five of their pack, with Pedro Rubiolo returning from concussion to partner Franco Molina in a new-look second row. Joaquin Oviedo’s two-try performance off the bench against Australia earns him a start at number eight, while uncapped prop Pedro Delgado awaits a debut on the bench.

Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya, 3 Joel Sclavi; 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Joaquin Oviedo; 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Tomas Albornoz; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Bautista Delguy; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Martin Gonzalez; 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Matias Moroni.

Siya Kolisi returns to South Africa to rejoin Sharks after Racing 92 contract cut short

20:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Siya Kolisi has returned to South Africa after just a single season at Racing 92 after the Springboks skipper’s contract with the Paris club was cut short.

Kolisi moved to the Top 14 on a lucrative three-year deal last summer, but struggled for form and fitness after joining up with Stuart Lancaster’s side.

The flanker was publicly criticised by Racing’s owner Jacky Lorenzetti after a disappointing end to the season, with rumours subsequently swirling that SA Rugby were attempting to negotiate an early release from his contract to bring him back to South Africa.

A fortnight ago, Racing announced that Kolisi’s contract had been ended two years earlier than planned, with the flanker subsequently confirming that he would be returning to the Sharks in Durban.

“My family and I have enjoyed a wonderful year abroad that has given us cherished memories,” Kolisi said in a statement. “We have missed South Africa though and it is time to come home.”

Siya Kolisi returns to South Africa after Racing 92 contract cut short

20:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will have a new role in the coaches’ box today having been left out of the matchday 23 for the potentially decisive clash in Santiago del Estero.

The double World Cup-winning skipper was taken to Argentina as a back-up in the squad should any of the other flankers be unavailable to play and will be given a taste of what it is like to sit alongside coach Rassie Erasmus.

It is part of the latter’s plan to help senior players understand how and why decisions are made during matches and is something he has done before, notably with former number eight Duane Vermeulen during last year’s Rugby World Cup campaign.

“Siya was not brought (to Argentina) to play, but to be on standby if someone gets injured and also to help lead the team off the field,” Erasmus told reporters on Tuesday.

“We want to get Siya into the coach’s box. He doesn’t know what happens up there and we want to give him a feel of how we come to a decision during a game. To understand how to interpret the information we send out.”

Argentina vs South Africa: Springboks expect the unexpected

20:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Unbeaten South Africa go in search of a fifth Rugby Championship crown when they clash with Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday but their fiery hosts have title ambitions of their own and are primed for the fight.

The Springboks will lift the trophy for the first time since 2019 if they beat Argentina, but with the latter having already claimed the scalps of New Zealand (38-30) and Australia (67-27) this campaign, they are certainly not taking anything for granted.

Coach Rassie Erasmus said this week both sides were willing to “go to the gutter”, a term the Springboks use to mean slugging it out and getting over the line in any way possible.

He has made 10 changes to his starting XV, opting to leave several regulars at home in the knowledge he has two bites of the cherry, with a home clash against Argentina to come at Mbombela Stadium on Sept. 28.

But with such strong depth in every position, changes do not mean a weakened side and it will rather be the ability of his team to handle their hosts in broken play that will decide the contest.

The Springboks know it will be physical, frenetic and passionate at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, and exerting control among the forwards and with territorial kicking will be key.

“The theme for us when it comes to their (Argentina) set-pieces is to expect the unexpected,” double World Cup winning prop Ox Nche told reporters.

“They have certainly grown in their forward play, and they are trying new things in the lineouts, where they can play at the front and back, and they maul as well, so they are a well-rounded team. We know it’s going to be a massive challenge.”

Argentina vs South Africa LIVE

Friday 20 September 2024 19:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Good evening, and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Argentina vs South Africa in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship. The Springboks are on the cusp of a rare crown having proved themselves as the class side in the competition in back-to-back wins over the All Blacks - but a Pumas side riding high after their thrashing of Australia still harbour faint hopes.

Kick-off is at 10pm BST.