What's happened
South Africa's Springboks secured the Rugby Championship title with a decisive 43-7 victory over Argentina on September 28, 2024. The match featured standout performances, including Eben Etzebeth becoming the most-capped Springbok. Argentina struggled with discipline, receiving multiple yellow and red cards, which hampered their efforts to challenge the hosts.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Nick Said in The Independent, South Africa's victory was marked by a strong performance from their forwards and a disciplined backline. He noted that Argentina's yellow cards significantly impacted their ability to compete. Meanwhile, Luke Baker highlighted the pressure on Argentina to secure a bonus-point win, which ultimately proved too much as they faltered under pressure. Angus Fontaine from The Guardian pointed out that Australia's struggles in the tournament were overshadowed by South Africa's success, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Rugby Championship.
How we got here
The Rugby Championship concluded with South Africa leading the table after a strong campaign. Argentina's previous victory over the Springboks had set the stage for a tense final match, where they needed a bonus-point win to claim their first title. South Africa, however, only required a draw or win to secure the championship.
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