South Africa vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result as Springboks win but miss out on title

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi believes the only thing that has changed in his side’s game following back-to-back Rugby Championship wins over Australia and Argentina is their execution in the opponents 22.

The Springboks scored five tries to secure a crucial bonus-point 36-20 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday and draw level with New Zealand on 14 points at the top of the table to keep alive their hopes of regaining the title they last won in 2019.

The 2022 season had been characterised by a lack of composure and precision in attack, something coach Jacques Nienaber has repeatedly highlighted. But their 24-8 win over the Wallabies in Sydney and their victory this weekend suggest improvements have been made in both areas.

“Nothing has changed in the way we play, it is just about executing,” Kolisi told reporters. “If we stick to the plan, we know our system will give us these opportunities to score. In the past couple of games we have taken those chances.

“Our mindset was to come here and get maximum points. We want to win the Rugby Championship and knew we had to pitch up for the game. It was a very good win against a very good Argentina side.”

South Africa host Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for. Heading into the final round, New Zealand sat on top of the table on points difference as South Africa closely followed them with Argentina and Australia on the chase.

The All Blacks’ big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday means that the Springboks must win by 40 points to snatch the title away from New Zealand.

Last week the Springboks beat Argentina in their own back yard 36-20 and they will be hoping for an even bigger win at home. A concern for South Africa comes in their lack of a fly-half with Handre Pollard injured, Damian Willemse concussed and Elton Janjties out due to mental health reasons.

“It would have been nice to pick Elton, but mental health is a big thing,” said coach Jacques Nienaber. “There would have been too much external pressure on him and from a perspective of humanity, it would have been unfair to bring him back. Elton would have been under too much pressure, and with us the human side comes first.”

The situation sees South Africa turn to Frans Steyn, an experienced player but one who hasn’t started a Test in the No 10 jersey since 2008. But who else lines up for the teams? Here’s all you need to know.

Argentina make two backline changes to their team, with coach Michael Cheika resisting wholesale changes despite losing at home to the Springboks last Saturday.

Juan Imhoff comes in on the wing in place of Lucio Cinti while Matias Moroni replaces Matias Orlando at centre.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia; 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Juan Imhoff; 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julian Montoya, 3 Eduardo Bello; 4 Matias Alemanno, 5 Tomas Lavanini; 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Pablo Matera.

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Pedro Rubiolo, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Bautista Delguy.

South Africa make two changes from their win over Argentina with Frans Steyn in at fly-half and Pieter-Steph du Toit coming in at flanker.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux; 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Frans Steyn, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Duane Vermeulen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse.

As Argentina travel to South Africa in the Rugby Championship, Michael Cheika’s side will be seeking revenge.

Last week the Springboks beat Argentina in their own back yard 36-20 and Cheika says it was a poor first half that cost them.

“The first half is one of the worst I remember, we conceded many penalties,” Cheika said. “In the second, we got into the game. It was a missed opportunity, but I will go to South Africa with these same players.

“We were able to gain contact and settle down (in the second half). I think we became strong at times and went back to the basics, to tackle hard.”

South Africa rugby host Argentina rugby in their final Rugby Championship match with everything still to play for. Heading into the final round, New Zealand sat on top of the table on points difference as South Africa closely followed them with Argentina and Australia on the chase.

The All Blacks’ big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday means that the Springboks must win by 40 points to snatch the title away from New Zealand.

Last week the Springboks beat Argentina in their own back yard 36-20 and they will be hoping for an even bigger win at home. A concern for South Africa comes in their lack of a fly-half with Handre Pollard injured, Damian Willemse concussed and Elton Janjties out due to mental health reasons.

“It would have been nice to pick Elton, but mental health is a big thing,” said coach Jacques Nienaber. “There would have been too much external pressure on him and from a perspective of humanity, it would have been unfair to bring him back. Elton would have been under too much pressure, and with us the human side comes first.”

The situation sees South Africa turn to Frans Steyn, an experienced player but one who hasn’t started a Test in the No 10 jersey since 2008.

So, we turn our attention to South Africa vs Argentina. Kick-off in Durban is at 4.05pm BST as the Springboks look for a truly remarkable result to snatch the title away from New Zealand.

New Zealand allowed no room for controversy on Saturday by beating Australia 40-14 at Eden Park, extending their winning streak at Eden Park into a 29th year and moving clear atop the Rugby Championship table.

World champions South Africa still have a chance to take the title later on Saturday but will need to beat Argentina in Durban with a bonus point, and by more than 39 points, to prevent the All Blacks retaining their crown.

The first match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Melbourne 10 days ago was made contentious by late time-wasting against Australia that gave New Zealand a scrum from which they scored the winning try.

This time there was no such talking point. The All Blacks scored two tries, including a penalty try, to lead 17-0 by half-time and added three more tries in the second half as Australia paid a heavy price for a lack of discipline.

The Wallabies lost two players to the sin-bin in the first half and conceded the penalty try at a collapsed maul. They have been the most penalised team in the Rugby Championship this season and continued in that vein, allowing passion to rule at times when cool heads were needed.

So to clarify, South Africa will need to beat Argentina by 40 points later on to snatch the Rugby Championship away from the All Blacks. Stranger things have happened but that’s a big ask...

New Zealanders will become Pumas fans for a few hours.

That game kicks off at 4.05pm BST and we’ll be covering every second of it.

And that’s all over! Too easy for New Zealand who dominated and extend their remarkable Eden Park record. The Wallabies haven’t won here since 1986.

They scored three more tries than their opponents to seal the try bonus point and the margin of victory makes things tough for South Africa later as they look to snatch the Rugby Championship title away