Libbok Flops As Springbok Lose To Argentina

A lackluster second-half performance by the Springboks resulted in Rassie Erasmus’s side suffering their first defeat of this year’s Rugby Championship when they went down 29-28 against Argentina at the Santiago del Estero on Saturday night.

The defeat means the Boks will need to beat the same opponents in next weekend’s final round to win the Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019. Heading into the clash, both teams were confident after winning against New Zealand and Australia.

The Boks in the first 15 minutes of the encounter were on fire, physically, applied consistent pressure on the hosts, and as a result took an early 17-0 lead. They opened the scoring as early as the third minute after a set-piece move from a lineout saw Handre Pollard feed Aphelele Fassi a splendid ball and he split through an open gap to dive over for his side’s opening try of the match.

Pollard converted to make it 7-0, and four minutes later the Boks extended their lead courtesy of a Jesse Kriel five-pointer. With a comfortable 14-0 lead, Pollard slotted over a penalty to take the score to 17-0 with just 12 minutes played.

That high-paced, fast start seemed to have sparked Argentina back into life, and the hosts responded emphatically. They scored four tries, two of those coming in a period when Bok winger Kurt-Lee Arendse was sent to the sin bin for a head-high tackle. The first five-pointer was scored by Mateo Carreras and converted by flyhalf Tomas Albornoz.

Los Pumas then upped the ante scoring their second try through influential vice-captain, Pablo Matera. Albornoz converted again before tighthead prop Joel Sclavi barged over from close range to put his side in the lead for the first time.

The hosts were far from done and extended their lead when they dived over with four minutes remaining in the first half. He converted his score, before Springbok scrumhalf, Cobus Reinach pulled one back for his side and the teams went to halftime with Argentina leading 26-22. In the second stanza, the Boks started similarly and got onto the scoreboard early on courtesy of a penalty converted by Pollard.

They regained the lead in the 50th minute after replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok slotted in another penalty to give his side a 28-16 lead. It took both sides 18 minutes to register points on the scoreboard again, and it was Los Pumas who scored a penalty in the 68th minute to regain the lead with just 12 minutes to play.

The Boks turned to their BOMB squad; however, it proved in vain as they couldn’t manage to crack the resilient Argentinian defense. Trailing by one with a minute remaining on the clock, Libbok had a golden opportunity to seal the win after his side won a penalty inside Argentina’s half.

The Stormers flyhalf also, going for a lineout, miskick the ball and it was too deep, and it was clear he was feeling under pressure and the chance was gone when the game was in the balance.

Libbok shot wide, and as a result, the hosts held on to record a memorable 28-29 victory and keep themselves in the running to win this year’s Rugby Championship when the two sides meet in Nelspruit in the final round next weekend.

Coach Erasmus was devastated about the loss in the post-match press conference and promised that they will bring back big hitters in that match at Mbombela Stadium where they know a win will be enough to win the tournament.

The Boks, knowing the importance of this game next weekend, are flying back to South Africa immediately. For Argentina, this is the first time in their history that they have defeated All Blacks, Australia, and Springboks in the Rugby Championship.