The green jerseys of South Africa’s supporters dominated the stands at Twickenham, turning Argentina’s designated “home” game into a Springbok fortress. This advantage proved crucial as South Africa ground out a tough victory to secure the Rugby Championship trophy, leaving the Pumas to regret their financially motivated decision to play in London.
The game was won and lost in the trenches, where the Springbok scrum was an absolute juggernaut. From the first engagement to the last, they had the upper hand, forcing Argentina into errors and conceding penalties. This set-piece dominance was the cornerstone of their game plan, allowing them to control territory and scoreboard pressure, especially in the second half.
Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s head coach, candidly admitted his team was “fortunate” to avoid a trip to Argentina, where the Pumas are a notoriously tougher opponent. The 70,000-strong crowd, overwhelmingly backing the Boks, created an environment that was the polar opposite of what Argentina would have enjoyed in Buenos Aires or Mendoza.
This victory not only marks a historic first-ever back-to-back title for South Africa but also comes at a time when the tournament’s very future is in question. With no competition in 2026 and potential format changes looming, the Springboks may have won the last Rugby Championship as we know it, a poignant thought amidst the celebrations.
Argentina never stopped fighting, scoring three tries and showcasing their attacking danger. Bautista Delguy was a constant threat, grabbing a brace of tries. However, their inability to secure their own scrum ball meant they were starved of quality possession and constantly on the back foot, a handicap too great to overcome against the world’s top-ranked team.