South Africa win back-to-back Rugby Championships

Rugby Championship

Argentina (13) 27

Tries: Delguy 2, Isgro Cons: Carreras 3 Pens: Carreras 2

South Africa (10) 29

Tries: Reinach 2, Marx 2 Cons: Mngomezulu 3 Pen: Mngomezulu

South Africa overpowered Argentina at Allianz Stadium to win back-to-back Rugby Championships for the first time.

New Zealand's victory over Australia earlier on Saturday meant the Springboks knew any kind of victory in London would be enough to secure the title because of their superior points difference.

The Pumas started the game quickly with an opening try from Bautista Delguy and led 13-10 at half-time.

But the world champions regained control after the break and added to Cobus Reinach's first-half try with a score by Malcolm Marx.

Another try each for Reinach and Marx extended the lead, before Delguy intercepted the ball and sprinted clear for his second.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 70,360, as Argentina - the home side for the fixture - opted to play at Allianz Stadium to increase potential returns from what was their highest attendance of the year.

Replacement wing Rodrigo Isgro touched down after catching a cross-field kick in the final play of the game to gain a losing bonus point.

Despite picking up impressive wins over New Zealand and Australia, Felipe Contepomi's side finished bottom of the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2022.

Rassie Erasmus' side suffered two defeats from their opening three championship games but bounced back to win three straight fixtures, which included inflicting the All Blacks' record defeat.

Winning the title in front of a large crowd, which was dominated by England's South African expat community, was a fitting way to be crowned champions again.

More to follow.

Argentina: Carreras; Delguy, Piccardo, Chocobares, Mallia; Prisciantelli, Cruz; Vivas, Montoya (capt), Sclavi, Petti, Rubiolo, Matera, Kremer, Grondona.

Replacements: Ruiz, Wenger, Marchetti, Molina, Gonzalez, Oviedo, Moyano, Isgro.

Sin-bin: Vivas (43 mins)

South Africa: Willemse; Kolbe, Moodie, de Allende, Hooker; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Reinach; Nche, Marx, T Du Toit, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), P Du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements: Mbonambi, Wessels, Louw, Snyman, Smith, Williams, Libbok, Kriel.

Sin-bin: Moodie (2 mins)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) and Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Television match official: Ian Tempest (England)