The Springboks' hopes of maintaining their unbeaten run in the Rugby Championship were dashed on Saturday night as they succumbed to a 28-29 defeat against a resilient Argentina in Santiago del Estero. The loss, a blow to South Africa's reign as the world’s top-ranked team, left coach Rassie Erasmus and his side reflecting on missed opportunities and crucial mistakes. Despite an early dominance that saw the Boks take a commanding 17-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes, the match gradually slipped away from them, culminating in a final-minute missed penalty that could have snatched victory.

Aphelele Fassi’s opening try, set up by a well-executed play from Handré Pollard, was followed quickly by Jesse Kriel's burst through Argentina's defense. Pollard’s sharp kicking added further points, and it seemed as if the Springboks had firm control of the game. However, Argentina's response was swift and decisive. The Pumas capitalized on a yellow card handed to Kurt-Lee Arendse for a high tackle, swinging the momentum in their favor. Tries from Mateo Carreras and Pablo Matera, combined with the skilled playmaking of Tomas Albornoz, allowed Argentina to claw their way back into the contest.

By halftime, Argentina had taken a surprising lead, 26-22, leaving the Springboks to rue defensive lapses and missed opportunities. Tomas Albornoz, instrumental for the Pumas throughout the game, continued to apply pressure on South Africa’s defense, which struggled to cope with Argentina’s quick ball movement and precision in attack. Despite the Springboks’ efforts to regain control in the second half, including penalties from Pollard and replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok, Argentina remained composed under pressure. A late penalty kick put them ahead once again, leaving the Springboks with little time to respond.

In the final minute, South Africa had a chance to reclaim the lead when Libbok lined up a penalty attempt. His kick, however, veered wide, sealing Argentina’s narrow victory. Erasmus, while acknowledging the sting of the defeat, emphasized that the match should never have come down to that final kick. "There were a lot of areas we didn’t get right," he remarked, highlighting issues with the Springboks’ lineouts and defensive execution. The coach was quick to credit Argentina for their performance, stating that they “deserved the win” and had played with the intensity required to overcome the reigning world champions.

The defeat sets up a critical final match in Mbombela next weekend, where the Springboks, leading the tournament standings by five points, will look to secure their first Rugby Championship title since 2019. Despite the setback, Erasmus remains focused on the opportunity for redemption, acknowledging that there is much to learn from the loss but also plenty to build on. The Springboks' ability to bounce back will be tested as they aim to close the competition on a high note. Argentina’s victory, meanwhile, keeps their slim title hopes alive, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a fiercely contested finale.
[Submitted by Estea Rademeyer]