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Springboks Clinch Historic Back-to-Back Rugby Championship Title After Tense sa-vs-argentina Finale South Africa retained the Rugby Championship crown for the first time in their history after defeating Argentina 29-27 in a nerve-wracking final round fixture at Twickenham, London. The victory on Saturday secured the title on a superior points difference, pipping rivals New Zealand to the post following a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 tournament. The world champions were forced to mount a significant comeback after trailing 13-3 in the first half against a determined Argentine side, who had moved the fixture from South America to the neutral venue of Twickenham for financial reasons. It was the unrelenting power of the Springboks’ forward pack that ultimately proved decisive, delivering four second-half tries that overwhelmed the Pumas’ early attacking flair. Hookers Malcolm Marx and scrum-half Cobus Reinach were central to the effort, each scoring two tries from close range. The result confirmed South Africa as the top team in the SANZAAR competition for the sixth time, drawing them level with Australia, but marking their first consecutive triumphs since the competition’s inception as the Tri-Nations. They finished tied on 19 points with the All Blacks, but their commanding positive points difference of +57—a margin created largely by their 67-30 rout of Argentina the previous week—was enough to lift the trophy. The contest itself, played in front of over 70,000 predominantly South African expatriate fans, proved to be a highly physical and at times chaotic affair. The Springboks’ early discipline issues allowed Argentina to take the initiative. Wing Canan Moodie was yellow-carded just two minutes into the match for a high tackle, a decision the Pumas immediately capitalised upon as Bautista Delguy crossed the line for the opening score.
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Further penalties from Santiago Carreras extended Argentina's advantage to a commanding ten points. Despite the early setbacks, the Springbok forwards began to exert their dominance at the set-piece, a theme that would define the game's outcome. Scrum penalties became routine, forcing Argentina to concede territory and points. Cobus Reinach’s opportunistic first try just before half-time reduced the deficit to 13-10, giving South Africa a crucial foothold heading into the break. The second half brought the expected Springbok surge, amplified when Pumas loosehead prop Mayco Vivas received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Eben Etzebeth. South Africa swiftly exploited the numerical advantage, scoring almost immediately from the ensuing lineout, with Malcolm Marx peeling off a driving maul for his first try. This score gave the Springboks their first lead of the day, 15-13, a lead they would not surrender. The forward momentum continued as the second-half yellow card proved a turning point for the Pumas, disrupting their defensive structure. Reinach and Marx each added their second tries through quick thinking and sheer force, opening up a seemingly insurmountable 29-13 lead. Argentina, however, demonstrated resilience in the final quarter, preventing the scoreline from mimicking the previous week’s heavy defeat.
A spirited late fightback, including a second intercept try for Bautista Delguy and a final score from Rodrigo Isgró after the final hooter, closed the gap to two points, delivering the 29-27 final score. Speaking after the trophy presentation, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi acknowledged the difficult challenge posed by Los Pumas despite the pre-match expectations. “It was a tough day today, all credit to the Argentinian team,” Kolisi told broadcasters. “They came hard and we knew they were going to from the beginning. Not the most perfect game we’ve played, but it is the fight we show each and every week. I’m so proud of our boys for finding that second gear. ” Conversely, Argentina’s captain, Julián Montoya, was direct in his assessment of where the fixture was lost, pointing squarely at the fundamental struggles up front. “You don’t need to be an expert to realise the scrum was our biggest weakness today,” Montoya admitted, underscoring the relentless pressure applied by the South African front row. The fixture was also notable for its unique staging. Argentina’s decision to move the crucial home fixture to Twickenham was a calculated financial move, but it arguably sacrificed a competitive edge by handing the advantage to the large contingent of South African supporters residing in the UK.
This was Argentina’s second-ever wooden spoon finish in the tournament, having accrued 10 points compared to Australia’s 11. Beyond the immediate result, the final match of the 2025 tournament cast a spotlight on the potential future of the competition. South Africa's head coach, Rassie Erasmus, raised questions about the format, suggesting the tournament in its current form may be coming to an end amidst reports of a potential shift to a biennial schedule or a concurrent move with the European Six Nations. “Maybe this is the last Rugby Championship [as an annual tournament],” Erasmus commented following the match. “I’m not 100 per cent sure how it will work in the future. So, it meant a hell of a lot to us to win this one. ” For South Africa, the title solidifies their position at the top of the global rankings, providing a strong platform as they look ahead to the next international cycle. For Argentina, while the narrow defeat was an improvement on the previous week, the structural weaknesses exposed, particularly in the set-piece, will be a key focus for their coaching staff as they seek to build consistency against the world's top sides. The tournament concludes with South Africa lifting the championship trophy, having ultimately found the clinical power and depth required to overcome a significant challenge from New Zealand and emerge victorious in a tense decider against Los Pumas.
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