Springboks claim Rugby Championship title on Etzebeth's special day

· CNA · Join
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Argentina - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - September 28, 2024 South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe in action REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Argentina - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - September 28, 2024 South Africa's Eben Etzebeth and South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi in action with Argentina's Tomas Lavanini REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Argentina - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - September 28, 2024 Pyrotechnics displays "Eben 128" as South Africa's Eben Etzebeth earns his 128th cap for South Africa the most a South African player has earned in their history REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Argentina - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - September 28, 2024 South Africa's Aphelele Fassi scores a try REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Argentina - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - September 28, 2024 South Africa's Aphelele Fassi scores a try REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

NELSPRUIT, South Africa : Fullback Aphelele Fassi and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit scored two tries each as dominant South Africa claimed the 2024 Rugby Championship with a comprehensive 48-7 victory over Argentina at a festive Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Wing Cheslin Kolbe, hooker Malcolm Marx and centre Jesse Kriel also crossed for tries as the hosts bullied Argentina in the scrum and ran the visitors ragged with inventive backline play that they have introduced into their game this season.

Argentina’s only try came via flyhalf Tomas Albornoz and they were not helped by yellow cards for wing Mateo Carreras and fullback Santiago Carreras, and a 20-minute red card for flanker Pablo Matera as they lost their discipline under pressure.

There was double cause for celebration as lock Eben Etzebeth became the most capped Springbok with his 128th appearance, one more than Victor Matfield, as the world champions finished with 24 points in the table, eight more than New Zealand.

Source: Reuters

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here