In a performance of sheer power and precision, hooker Malcolm Marx was the undisputed hero as South Africa battled past Argentina to claim their second consecutive Rugby Championship crown. Marx’s two tries, both products of his team’s forward supremacy, were the critical blows that broke the resolve of a determined Pumas side.
The story of the match was written in the scrum. South Africa’s pack was simply on another level, turning the set piece into a penalty-generating machine. Marx, at the heart of this effort, was not only immense in his core duties but also a destructive force with the ball in hand, consistently finding his way over the try line when it mattered most.
The victory was achieved on neutral ground at Twickenham, a “home” fixture for Argentina that felt anything but. The vast majority of the 70,000 fans were clad in green, creating an atmosphere of support for the Springboks that undoubtedly contributed to their performance. Rassie Erasmus openly acknowledged that facing the Pumas in Argentina would have been a far more difficult proposition.
This triumph gives the Springboks a historic back-to-back title, a first for the nation in this competition. However, the future of the tournament remains highly uncertain. With major changes on the horizon and a potential hiatus, this hard-won trophy may become a relic of a bygone era in international rugby.
Argentina had their moments and can be proud of their fight. They started brightly, leading 13-3, and showed their predatory instincts with tries from their backline. However, they were ultimately unable to build sustained pressure against a defense that was consistently given a front-foot platform by its dominant forward pack.