The Springboks roared to victory in Mbombela, crushing Argentina 48-7 to claim the Rugby Championship for the first time in five years, igniting a stadium and a nation with a display of sheer dominance and unity.
Nelspruit, Mbombela (29 September 2024) – The Springboks delivered a performance for the ages at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, securing the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for the first time in five years with a dazzling 48-7 victory over Argentina.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 43,578, South Africa’s national rugby team proved once again why they are among the giants of world rugby, showing flair, grit, and dominance from the first whistle.
The day carried special significance for Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth, who set a new milestone with his 128th Test cap.
He was quick to acknowledge the team effort, saying, “The milestone wouldn’t have been nice if we’d lost this game, so the team really showed up tonight.”
And show up they did! The Springboks had the crowd on their feet almost immediately, with a thrilling display of attacking rugby that saw them leading 27-7 by halftime.
Etzebeth, ever the humble leader, paid tribute to his teammates who have shared the highs and lows of his career: “There are guys I have been with at three World Cups, won two World Cups, guys like Siya, Jesse, Handre, Frans, Willie, Damian… I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without those players.”
It was clear that the bond between these players fueled the magic on the field that night.
The Springboks were electric right from the get-go. In the opening minute, Aphelele Fassi stormed over for the first of his two tries after a sustained period of dominance that left Argentina reeling. In just six short minutes, the Boks had their opposition on the back foot, barely able to catch their breath. It was a display of power rugby, and the tries kept coming.
Pieter-Steph du Toit added another spectacular try, leaping acrobatically over the ruck to score, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. With the Springboks playing with such precision and intensity, it was clear they were not going to be denied their crown this time.
Credit must be given to Argentina for their resilience. After a strong angled run by Santiago Grondona, they managed to break through the Bok defense, with Tomas Albornoz crossing the line to score. But it was only a brief respite. Jaden Hendrikse, who handled kicking duties flawlessly in this encounter, slotted a penalty to extend the Springboks’ lead to 17-7.
Then, disaster struck for Argentina when Mateo Carreras was yellow-carded for a high-ball collision, leaving them vulnerable. Fassi took full advantage, scoring his second try after a lightning-fast counter-attack that had the crowd roaring in approval. By the time Cheslin Kolbe added his trademark step-and-go try just before halftime, the writing was on the wall: the Springboks were unstoppable.
The second half saw the Springboks cement their dominance, with three more tries that were a joy to watch. Malcolm Marx powered over from a maul, Du Toit added his second of the night, and Jesse Kriel capped it all off with a sensational score after a perfectly timed kick from Handre Pollard.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was full of praise for his side after the match, saying, “The pressure has been on the players to gel quickly, but when you get to these crunch games, it’s the older heads that sometimes pull it through.”
Erasmus also acknowledged the teamwork and resilience that had defined the Boks’ journey throughout the Championship.
The visitors’ hopes of mounting a comeback were completely dashed when Pablo Matera was shown a red card for a shoulder charge, but by then, the Springboks had already secured their place as champions.
The 48-7 scoreline perfectly showcased the Springboks’ dominance and highlighted their exceptional teamwork and spirit. With seven tries and conversions from Hendrikse and Pollard, the Boks delivered a stellar performance that thrilled the Mbombela crowd and millions of fans across South Africa.
With the Rugby Championship trophy safely in hand and the country behind them, the Springboks have once again shown the world that they are a force to be reckoned with. The night in Mbombela will be remembered not just for the result but for the way it was achieved – with brilliance, unity, and the unwavering belief that anything is possible.
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