Rugby Championship highlights: Springboks claim bonus point in Buenos Aires thriller

Dylan Coetzee
Springboks Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff discuss a lineout move against Argentina.

Steven Kitshoff passes along the throw in instructions to Malcolm Marx of the Springboks during the 2021 Rugby Championship game between Argentina and South Africa at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 21 August 2021 ©Deryck Foster/Sports Inc

Enjoy the highlights from the thrilling Rugby Championship clash in Buenos Aires, where the Springboks claimed a 36-20 win against Argentina.

The visitors enjoyed a better start to the game as they put Argentina under pressure early on, adding a penalty courtesy of Damian Willemse to match the three points of Los Pumas wing Emiliano Boffelli.

Strong Springbok start

Further pressure from the South Africans resulted in a penalty try in the 22nd minute, where Santiago Carreras was sent to the sin bin for preventing Springboks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse from a cynically offside position.

After Boffelli added another penalty from his boot Hendrikse was on hand only minutes later as he threw a beautiful dummy to coast through the defensive line and score a converted try under the posts.

Only three minutes later, hooker Malcolm Marx crashed over to put the world champions in a commanding position at the break.

The second half saw Los Pumas come into the game more, let in by poor discipline from the Springboks. The South Americans responded with a penalty try of their own in the 67th minute after a high tackle from Springbok Kwagga Smith was adjudged to have prevented a certain try.

Thrilling final 10 minutes

Argentina kept the pressure up and scored a converted try through Matias Moroni three minutes later, bringing the game close for a thrilling finish.

However, it was not to be for coach Michael Cheika’s men as the Springboks power home with two converted tries from Damian de Allende and Marx to come away with a crucial bonus point in the context of the Rugby Championship.

South Africa have drawn level with the All Blacks on points but sit in second due to points difference with one round to go as the Springboks welcome Argentina to Durban while the All Blacks face the Wallabies in Auckland next weekend.

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