As South Africa celebrated a hard-earned, historic Rugby Championship title, a larger question loomed over Twickenham: was this the end of the road for the competition itself? The Springboks’ victory over Argentina, secured through forward dominance, was shadowed by coach Rassie Erasmus’s candid admission that this might be the final edition of the famed tournament.
The match itself was a testament to South Africa’s core strengths. Their scrum was an unstoppable force, dismantling the Argentinian pack time and again. This created the foundation for victory, with hooker Malcolm Marx capitalizing on the forward momentum to score two decisive tries from close range. It was a classic Springbok performance, built on power and set-piece precision.
The context of the match was unusual, played in London despite being Argentina’s designated home fixture. This strategic and financial choice by the Pumas’ union gave South Africa a significant environmental advantage, with their supporters vastly outnumbering the Argentinians. The intimidating atmosphere of a true away game in Argentina was notably absent, a factor that likely influenced the outcome.
Erasmus’s comments about the tournament’s future cast a pall over the celebrations. With the 2026 edition cancelled in favor of a bilateral series and potential future formats clashing with the Six Nations, the southern hemisphere’s premier competition is at a crossroads. This win, while celebrated, could very well be a final flourish.
Argentina demonstrated their resilience and attacking flair, taking an early lead and never giving up, as evidenced by a try in the final moments. They were, however, hamstrung by their inability to compete at the scrum. Had they achieved even parity in the set piece, the result might have been different, a frustrating reality for a team that fought with immense passion.
