(AP)
South Africa host Argentina for a decisive showdown today in the final match of the Rugby Championship.
The final match of the Championship is the reverse of last week’s fixture in South America, where Los Pumas pulled off an enthralling 29-28 win over the Springboks to take the tournament to the final day.
Argentina will be aware that repeating that result away from home is an incredibly difficult feat, and they enter the final match knowing that they require a bonus-point victory over their hosts if they are to win the competition for the very first time. Meanwhile, the Springboks know that all they need is a single bonus point in order to secure the title as lock Eben Etzebeth becomes the nation’s most capped player.
Follow all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
South Africa v Argentina LIVE
South Africa and Argentina face off in Rugby Championship decider
Springboks are favourites to win match and tournament despite dramatic loss last weekend
Pumas must win by more than seven points while scoring three tries more than their opponents to clinch historic title
8’ – TRY! Fassi barrels over after Springboks dominance (SA 7-0 ARG)
14’ – TRY! Du Toit goes aerial to acrobatically dot down (SA 14-0 ARG)
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 17-7 Argentina (Jaden Hendrikse)
16:26 , Luke Baker
22 mins
Good response from the Springboks, although really it’s poor from the Pumas.
Grondona is penalised for advancing from an offside position almost immediately after the restart and it’s a simple three points, duly slotted by Jaden Hendrikse.
South Africa 14-7 ARGENTINA (Tomas Albornoz)
16:24 , Luke Baker
19 mins
And they do! Exactly what Argentina needed. A great line-break through the Sprinbok defence from Grondona after a offload from Oviedo and a perfectly-timed pass sets Tomas Albornoz away under the posts for a vital try.
Simple conversion and the Pumas are back in this match.
South Africa 14-0 Argentina
16:22 , Luke Baker
18 mins
A bouncing ball just goes the wrong way to stop Kolbe picking up and potentially racing in for a third try. Pumas breathe again and then work some possession in the Springbok half. They have to make something of this.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 Argentina (Pieter-Steph du Toit)
16:18 , Luke Baker
14 mins
Not stopped for long though! South Africa are patient from close range and Pieter-Steph du Toit goes aerial, over the pile, to acrobatically dot down for the try.
The TMO checks the grounding and it’s all good. Hendrikse adds the touchline conversion and South Africa are rolling here!
South Africa 7-0 Argentina
16:16 , Luke Baker
13 mins
A fifth scrum and a fifth penalty against the Pumas. The Springboks front row are obliterating their opposing trio and it’s remarkable that Argentina still have 15 men on the field?
South Africa come again and Kolisi makes a dart down the blindside. Stopped inches short of the line!
South Africa 7-0 Argentina
16:14 , Luke Baker
11 mins
Can Argentina respond to that early setback? Decent possession in the Boks half but Kolbe pinches an interception and is off to the races.
The defence covers though and hauls him down on the 22 before turning the ball over and booting clear. Breathless stuff so far in a cauldron of an atmosphere.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 7-0 Argentina (Aphelele Fassi)
16:12 , Luke Baker
8 mins
And at last, it’s there! The Springboks lead as Aphelele Fassi barrels over. The ball is flung right from the scrum, Fassi comes on to the ball at pace, runs a great line, squeezes between two defenders and powers over the line.
Simple conversion and the Boks lead 7-0 after dominating. Fassi is growing into that No 15 jersey with each passing game.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
16:10 , Luke Baker
6 mins
Again, Argentina penalised at the scrum as Ox Nche dominates his opposite number and South Africa fling the ball to the backs.
All the way across to the right, then back to the left, De Allende darts inside a man and gets stopped five metres out. He knocks on trying an over-the-top pass but we’re back for another penalty.
Surely a penalty try if this scrum goes down?
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
16:08 , Luke Baker
5 mins
A reset scrum initially as the slick conditions see both front rows slipping and sliding. Second time it’s clean, the Springboks drive and look set to score but the Pumas pinged again, another penalty for the hosts.
How is that not a penalty try? Anyway another scrum
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
16:06 , Luke Baker
3 mins
Side entry from the Pumas at the breakdown, so another Boks penalty five metres out and they go for the scrum! Time for the fearsome pack to make a statement.
South Africa 0-0 Argentina
16:05 , Luke Baker
2 mins
Springboks immediately on the attack and into the Argentina 22. Big carries by Etzebeth and Wiese.
Boks go left – Fassi to Arendse and they’re five metres out. Penalty coming, so Libbok tries the cross-kick to Kolbe, who is in acres of space out on the right flank but the kick is too long for him.
Back for the penalty and the Springboks kick to the corner!
KICK OFF! South Africa 0-0 Argentina
16:03 , Luke Baker
And we’re off. This could be an epic!
South Africa vs Argentina
16:00 , Luke Baker
Rousing rendition of the anthems and we’re more or less ready to go here at Mbombela Stadium. As a reminder, Argentina need to win with a bonus point and deny the Springboks a bonus point to snatch the Rugby Championship title. Otherwise it’s going to South Africa.
South Africa vs Argentina
15:55 , Luke Baker
Not long until kick-off now. This should be a cracker
(AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa vs Argentina
15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It may lack the history and hype of an Ellis Park or Loftus Versfeld, but Mbombela Stadium is a lovely spot and looks to be jumping today as the Springboks bid to secure a title they haven’t won since 2019. South African sprinting great (and Paris 2024 medallist) Akani Simbine is in the house:
Rodrigo Isgro gets a start
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A senior player at Harlequins recently told me that there is plenty of excitement at the club about what Rodrigo Isgro might bring when he finally arrives in London. The flying wing, part of Argentina’s sevens squad at Paris 2024, signed for the Premiership side late in the summer having been a star on the short-form circuit over the last couple of seasons.
Lucio Cinti has added huge value at London Irish and Saracens having been picked up via a similar pathway, and Harlequins hope to benefit with a prowling Puma. Isgro was part of Michael Cheika’s squad at last year’s World Cup but could not really force his way up the pecking order in a competitive outside backs room – this is an opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a big stage.
Of the 146 players to appear in 5+ legs in the 2023/24 #SVNS, Rodrigo Isgro ranked in the top 6 for offloads (4, 5th), dominant tackles (1.5, 6th), tries (3.2, 6th), carries (22, 3rd), line breaks (3.7, 3rd), metres made (209, 4th) per leg 
Via @OptaJonny #COYQ pic.twitter.com/yjFq0iFhyS
— Harlequins 
(@Harlequins) September 4, 2024
Cheslin Kolbe ready to step in if kicking issues continue for Manie Libbok
15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It feels a strong decision from Rassie Erasmus to back Manie Libbok, whose issues from the tee are beginning to overshadow his obvious gifts as a playmaker. With Handre Pollard on the bench, Erasmus has ensured that he has his nerveless closer to come on later on if required, but the multi-talented Cheslin Kolbe has also volunteered his services if Libbok gets the yips.
“I’m comfortable kicking for goals,” Kolbe told reporters. “I’ve been working on it throughout the season, and the kickers and (attack coach) Tony (Brown) have been giving me tips.
“We have played in a few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team.
“Argentina are a phenomenal side and have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week gave me advice, so I know what to expect.”
(Getty Images)
South Africa vs Argentina match officials
15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Back to Mbombela, and here’s a look at the key officiating team today, which has a Kiwi theme:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Craig Evans (Wal)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
All Blacks sign off Rugby Championship in style with win over Wallabies
15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Just one more game, then, in this year’s Rugby Championship after the All Blacks signed off their campaign in style with a win over the Wallabies in Wellington earlier.
All Blacks sign off Rugby Championship in style with win over Wallabies
Team news – Argentina
15:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have rung the changes for the encounter in Mbombela, with eight alterations to Felipe Contepomi’s starting side. Marcos Kremer is ruled out with a knee ligament injury and Pablo Matera is dropped to the bench in a back-row reshuffle. Santiago Carreras starts at full-back, Matias Moroni in the centres and new Harlequins signing Rodrigo Isgro is on the wing after his Olympic exertions in sevens.
Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya (capt.), 3 Joel Sclavi; 4 Pedro Rubiolo, 5 Tomas Lavanini; 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 8 Joaquin Oviedo; 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 10 Tomas Albornoz; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Matias Moroni, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Santiago Carreras.
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.
¡Nuestros 23 para el último partido del Visa Macro Rugby Championship! 
Fecha 6 TRC
Springboks 
Sábado 28 de septiembre
12:05 horas (mediodía de 
)
Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit)
ESPN#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/OqaXw4XlVw
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) September 26, 2024
Team news – South Africa
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eben Etzebeth becomes the most-capped Springbok of all-time as he surpasses Victor Matfield’s tally of 127 caps in the second row. Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe are also back in the starting side after being rested last weekend, while Manie Libbok is backed at fly half despite a costly miss late on in Santiago del Estero.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
South Africa vs Argentina
14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
With kick off in Mbombela little more than an hour away, let’s take a closer look at the two sides bracing for battle for the final time in this year’s Rugby Championship…
The remarkable rise of Argentina, rugby’s great outlier on the brink of history
14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Their chances of a first Rugby Championship crown are remote, but it is remarkable that a nation like Argentina are in contention at all given the many disadvantages they must endure. Here’s a look at the story of the Pumas, and why continued support is so vital:
The remarkable story of Argentina, rugby’s great outlier
Argentina’s transformed discipline key to improvement
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina had a well-deserved reputation for indiscipline on the rugby field that often cost them dearly in Test encounters, but this year they have turned that on its head in the Rugby Championship.
In the past, the Pumas could often be relied upon to concede needless penalties through reckless play and hand opponents the chance to score easy points.
Yet this year they are the only team yet to receive a red or yellow card in the annual southern hemisphere championship and have conceded the fewest penalties (50) of any team in the competition.
Coach Felipe Contepomi said the turnaround was not because of any concerted effort to clean up their play but as a result of polishing their approach to matches.
”We don’t speak directly about discipline, but we want to be the best team we can play and maybe it’s the end result of trying to insist on doing the right things,” he told a press conference on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s meeting against South Africa in Nelspruit to decide the Rugby Championship.
”We don’t take any shortcuts in training, and we keep hammering on our method and the way we want to play, working hard, especially in defence.
“And, you know, we just don’t cheat. I know it’s part of our values, it’s part of our behaviour, and we pride ourselves on that and the result is maybe giving away less penalties and not picking up cards.
“But the real thing is not focusing on avoiding cards but rather doing the right thing and working hard.”
Argentina have not had a player sent from the field, either to the sin-bin or red carded, in their last 12 Tests.
Argentina are no longer falling foul of the officals (Getty Images)
Argentina search for consistency after significant win
14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Last weekend’s win in Santiago del Estero meant that Argentina have beaten all of their Rugby Championship foes in a single edition of the tournament for the first time. It is a significant achievement, but flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez was clear that it will count for little if the Pumas fail to back-up that showing with a strong outing in Mbombela, regardless of the result.
“We had a good game, but we want to be consistent in our performances,” Gonzalez told reporters. “Of course we want to win every single game, but what we are looking to do is play good rugby. Sometimes we are doing that, other times not.
“If we win, we win, if we lose, so be it. But we have been training very well. We are thinking about just this moment and not what might happen after the game with the Rugby Championship.”
Eben Etzebeth shuns the spotlight in milestone week
14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Imposing South Africa forward Eben Etzebeth has avoided the spotlight this week despite being set to become his country’s most capped international, as he plays a 128th Test in the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina.
The 32-year-old Etzebeth was named earlier this week in the line-up for the clash at the Mbombela Stadium but there has been an almost deliberate effort to downplay the achievement.
He has not appeared at any of the press conferences this week and when the team was announced on Tuesday, the accompanying press release briefly detailed Etzebeth’s achievement but took a further 17 paragraphs before quoting coach Rassie Erasmus about the record breaker.
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” said Erasmus.
“He has not wanted any focus on him to detract from the team,” a team official told Reuters on Friday.
But it has not prevented tributes to the double World Cup winner whose intimidating man-mountain like presence in the scrum has been symbolic of the force and power of the Bok pack.
“If you talk to Eben about the Springbok environment, it’s a place he loves being in. He has given so much to this environment and this sport,” hooker Bongi Mbonambi said about his teammate this week.
“A lot of people who don’t know Eben think he is this serious guy. But he is actually one of the jokers in the team. He loosens the mood up when there’s too much tension. Also, when it is time to get serious, he’s the guy who knuckles down.”
(Getty Images)
Eben Etzebeth to break Springboks cap record as Manie Libbok backed at fly half after costly miss
13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eben Etzebeth is set to become the most-capped South Africa player of all-time after being named in the Springboks starting side to face Argentina in Mbombela.
The lock will win his 128th cap in the final round of the Rugby Championship, surpassing the tally of Victor Matfield in a full-strength side.
Eben Etzebeth to break Springboks cap record as Manie Libbok backed after costly miss
Rugby Championship permutations: What do South Africa and Argentina need in final round to win title?
13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa and Argentina are both still in the hunt for a rare Rugby Championship title as the two sides prepare to meet again in Mbombela.
The Pumas’ outstanding win over the Springboks in Santiago del Estero kept their hopes of triumph alive as Felipe Contepomi’s side continued a fine campaign that has seen them beat all three of their tournament foes.
To lift a trophy that have not won before, though, will require Argentina to pull off a shock final-round victory over their title rivals.
Rugby Championship permutations: What South Africa and Argentina need in final round?
South Africa v Argentina
Friday 27 September 2024 17:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
Follow all the action as South Africa take on Argentina with the Rugby Championship on the line.
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