The 2024 Rugby Championship will go down in history as one of the most memorable tournaments, especially for South African and Argentina rugby fans. The Springboks, after a thrilling campaign, were crowned champions after a title drought since 2019, showcasing their dominance on the global stage once again.
With fierce competition from New Zealand and Argentina, this year’s tournament was a true test of skill, resilience, and strategy. Let’s dive into the key statistics that defined the Springboks’ road to glory and take a broader look at the overall performance across teams.
South Africa’s Dominance in Tries and Points
The Springboks, a household name in international sports teams, led the tournament with an impressive 24 tries, more than any other team. Their attacking prowess was on full display, driven by a combination of powerful forwards and agile backs. Malcolm Marx stood out for his ability to break through defences, contributing 4 tries to South Africa’s total, tied for second among the top try-scorers. Aphelele Fassi also delivered key performances, adding 3 tries of his own.
In terms of points, South Africa ended the tournament with 188 points, the highest across all teams. This attacking firepower, combined with a solid kicking game, allowed the Springboks to convert their opportunities into decisive victories. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu played a critical role in this success during the first couple of games, contributing 35 points through his accurate kicking and playmaking ability, further reinforcing their consistency—something that game betting enthusiasts undoubtedly noticed throughout the championship.
Defence and Tackling Prowess
While South Africa shone offensively, they were less dominant in defence compared to their rivals. The Springboks completed 664 tackles, ranking last among the four teams. Argentina led the tackling stats, with an impressive 913 tackles, followed closely by New Zealand (903) and Australia (901). Despite this, South Africa’s scramble defensive system was effective in key moments.
South Africa’s best defensive player, arguably Pieter-Steph Du Toit, may not have topped the tournament charts, but the team’s overall system worked cohesively. This approach allowed them to focus on their strengths—turning defence into counter-attacks and maximising possession.
Kicking Game: South Africa Leads the Pack
South Africa’s tactical kicking game was instrumental in their victory. With a tournament-leading 168 kicks, they set the tone for controlling territory and forcing their opponents into uncomfortable positions. The Springboks used their kicking strategy not only to gain ground but also to apply pressure on the opposition’s defence.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu, making his international debut, showed his value, contributing 40 kicks, placing him third overall for individual kicks. Damian McKenzie from New Zealand led the individual stats with 55 kicks, proving himself as one of the most reliable tactical kickers of the tournament.
Other Teams: Close Contenders
Although South Africa emerged as the clear winner, New Zealand was never far behind. The All Blacks scored 22 tries and finished with 175 points, putting them in a close second position. Will Jordan, with 4 tries, showcased his ability to find space and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Argentina, known for their passionate and physical style of play, finished third in both tries (20) and points (170). Their standout player, Mateo Carreras, contributed 3 tries, while their defensive work was unmatched, with the highest tackle count of the tournament. Tomas Albornoz, with 44 points, was a key figure for Argentina, cementing his place as the second-highest point scorer.
Australia struggled throughout the competition, finishing with only 11 tries and 107 points, significantly behind the other teams. However, players like Noah Lolesio and Harry Wilson made notable contributions, especially in the tackle count and kicking game. Wilson’s 86 tackles placed him at the top of the individual tackling leaderboard, demonstrating his relentless work ethic.
Conclusion
The 2024 Rugby Championship was a showcase of top-tier rugby, with the Springboks proving that their blend of power, precision, and tactical acumen remains unmatched. While New Zealand and Argentina posed strong threats, it was the Springboks’ consistency that ultimately brought them the title. As the teams now look ahead to the end of the Northern tournament, fans will surely remember 2024 as a year when South Africa stamped their authority on the international stage once more.
