Springboks exact revenge over Argentina in thumping victory to seal ...

The Springboks claimed their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 after they comfortably overcame Argentina 48-7 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening.

Victory helps exact revenge over Los Pumas following the shock 29-28 reversal at Santiago del Estero last weekend and it was a determined and well-deserved result.

Tries from Aphelele Fassi (2), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2), Cheslin Kolbe, Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel helped the Springboks to a maximum haul in a dominant effort in Nelspruit.

The five-point success sees Rassie Erasmus’ outfit pick up the Rugby Championship silverware with an eight-point buffer from the All Blacks, who finished in second spot.

The silverware was a fitting present for Eben Etzebeth on the day he became South Africa’s most-capped player after he surpassed the great Victor Matfield’s 127 mark.

It was the perfect start from a fired-up Bok outfit as they looked to make a statement following that Round Five defeat and they more than made an impressive opening.

Sustained pressure on Los Pumas’ line that included several scrum penalties was eventually rewarded when Fassi crashed over off a smart Manie Libbok pass. The conversion was successful from scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse, who was handed the kicking duties over his fly-half following that costly late missed penalty last week.

The advantage was doubled on 15 minutes when a quarterback-esque sneak from Du Toit saw him ground, despite the best efforts of form Pumas fly-half Tomos Albornoz.

Argentina desperately needed a response in front of the vocal home supporters and they got it on 20 minutes when Albornoz raced under the posts after a lovely set play.

Springboks player ratings: ‘Brilliant Boks’ blow Argentina off the park as ‘liberated’ Libbok, ‘fabulous Fassi’ and ‘stunning’ Du Toit steal the show

However, the visitors’ joy was shortlived when an offside from a kick ahead resulted in Hendrikse knocking over a simple penalty goal that made it a 17-7 cushion for the Boks.

Felipe Contepomi’s team were also further setbacks soon after when star inside centre Santiago Chocobares was withdrawn from the action on 26 minutes following a knee injury before wing Mateo Carreras was yellow carded for taking out Fassi in the air.

South Africa would make their numerical advantage pay as tries before the break from lethal duo Fassi and Kolbe made it a 27-7 gap which was a fair reflection of the first 40.

The second period took a while to find its flow and the scoreline reflected it, with no change on the board until the 69th minute as both teams struggled to find their mojo.

Argentina’s woes were compounded 15 minutes prior to that, however, when Pablo Matera was yellow-carded for head contact at a ruck. It was later upgraded to red.

Springboks v Argentina: Five takeaways as Boks provide the ‘fireworks’ for ‘Eben Etzebeth’s party’ to clinch the title

There was worse to come too for Los Pumas as Santiago Carreras was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on when attempting an intercept and the Boks duly feasted.

A maul try from replacement Marx was followed up by Du Toit crashing over and the icing on the cake saw Kriel claim a late score as the celebrations could finally begin.

South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am

Argentina: 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Matais Moroni, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Juan Martín Gonzalez, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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