Springboks seal back-to-back Rugby Championship titles

SOUTH Africa had to dig deep in a fiercely contested encounter at Twickenham to edge Argentina 29-27 in a nervy clash and clinch a historic back-to-back Rugby Championship title.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

SPRINGBOK scrumhalf Cobus Reinach won the Man-of-the-Match award against Argentina.

(AFP)

The Springboks were forced to graft early on, absorbing sustained pressure from a fired-up Pumas side that dominated territory and possession. But resolute defence kept the scoreboard tight, allowing the world champions to flip the momentum in the second half and seal the campaign.

With their forwards taking control through scrum dominance and rolling mauls, and the backs finding space, the Boks surged ahead to put themselves out of reach — though they were pushed until the 82nd minute to secure their first-ever consecutive Rugby Championship crown.

Two crucial tries by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach before halftime and hooker Malcolm Marx shortly after the restart set the Boks on their way as their set piece further asserted control. Marx also crossed for his second soon after, stretching the lead to 29-13.

However, when they had that advantage, the champions put themselves under unnecessary pressure in the final 20 minutes through ill-discipline, sloppy play, and their inability to handle Argentina’s aerial assault. That strong cushion should have allowed them to close out the game more comfortably in front of just over 70,000 spectators, and while they eventually did, it was under immense strain.