Full-back Aphelele Fassi and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit stole the show with two tries each as South Africa secured the 2024 Castle Lager Rugby Championship title in commanding fashion, crushing Argentina 48-7 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
In front of a jubilant home crowd, the Springboks delivered a dominant performance, overwhelming Argentina in all aspects of the game. The hosts showcased their newly refined attacking prowess, blending powerful forward play with sharp, inventive moves from the backline, a strategy that has been key to their success this season.
Winger Cheslin Kolbe, hooker Malcolm Marx, and center Jesse Kriel also crossed the try line, as South Africa’s pack dominated the scrums and forced Argentina into costly errors. The visitors’ defense struggled to contain the Springboks’ relentless attack, which was characterized by pace, precision, and creativity.
Argentina’s only try came through fly-half Tomas Albornoz, but their chances of mounting a comeback were diminished by disciplinary issues. Wingers Mateo Carreras and Santiago Carreras received yellow cards, while flanker Pablo Matera was sent off with a 20-minute red card, leaving Argentina short-handed for much of the game. The lack of composure under pressure saw them unravel against the well-drilled South African side.
The victory also marked a historic moment for South African rugby, as lock Eben Etzebeth made his 128th appearance, surpassing Victor Matfield to become the most-capped Springbok in history. The Springboks finished the Championship with 24 points, eight clear of second-placed New Zealand, further underlining their dominance in the tournament.
With their eyes now set on future international competitions, South Africa’s emphatic win at Mbombela Stadium signals their intent to continue their reign as one of the world’s top rugby teams.
