Etzebeth has final word as Springboks claim crown

By BEN JAYCOCK

South Africa ……………….. 48pts

Tries: Fassi 8, 33; du Toit 14, 73, Kolbe 38, Marx 69, Kriel 77

Conversions: Hendrikse 9, 15, Pollard 70, 74, 78

Penalties: Hendrikse 22

Argentina ………………………. 7pts

Tries: Albornoz 19

Conversions: Albornoz 20

SOUTH Africa claimed the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 with a commanding display in Mbombela on a special day for legendary second row Eben Etzebeth.

Etzebeth became the alltime Springboks appearance holder, winning his 128th cap to surpass Victor Matfield. The Sharks‘ double World Cup-winning lock was a force of nature again throughout this tournament, increasing his chances of being seen as the greatest Bok of all once the 32-year-old decides to call time on an illustrious career.

South Africa bounced back from their shock loss in Argentina last weekend, allowed to operate in cruise control as once again the Pumas failed to back up a groundbreaking win.

The seven-try victory continues Rassie Erasmus’ side’s domination of the rugby world with supporters of other nations forced to look on with envy.

Man of the moment Etzebeth, who led his nation out before kick off, spoke of his pride at playing for South Africa after paying tribute to his team-mates and his family.

He said: “Rugby is like a religion in our country, to play for the Boks is the ultimate. You cannot go any better than that and I don’t want to, it’s the best team.

“Hopefully I stay fit and the coaches keep picking me. I will try my best to stay around for as long as I can.”

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi added: “I am lost for words, but it has been a journey and a half, after last week the way we stood up today says a lot about our team. Argentina are a side you cannot look over, how hard they work and what they did to us last week – they are a proud nation, similar to South Africa, the way they use the ball like we do.”

The positive from South Africa’s only championship defeat last week was it provided an opportunity to win a first title in five years in front of home support.

It was a special atmosphere at Mbombela Stadium and the world champions wasted no time in lifting the noise as Aphelele Fassi crashed over close to the posts for an early try. A second quickly followed when standout flanker Pieter Steph Du Toit leapt over the ruck to expertly ground the ball after a slight juggle.

There was a sense of inevitability but the Pumas, who successfully came from 17 points down last weekend, sent another reminder to not rule them out because of a slow start when Santiago Grondona broke clear and sent Tomas Albornoz in for their opening score.

However, with Mateo Carreras in the sin bin for taking out Fassi in the air, South Africa exploited the space vacated and the brilliant Cheslin Kolbe popped the ball off the deck to Fassi, who grabbed his second try.

The full-back quickly returned the favour, and although Kolbe had plenty of work to do, his dancing feet and power could not be stopped close to the tryline.

The Boks’ ruthlessness returned following poor discipline from the Pumas in the final quarter as Pablo Matera saw his yellow card upgraded to a 20-minute red for making head contact when trying to clear out Vincent Koch.

Du Toit crossed for his second before Santiago Carreras joined Matera on the naughty step for a deliberate knock-on, while Malcolm Marx took advantage from the back of a maul and Jesse Kriel latched onto Handre Pollard’s delightful kick to punish Argentina for going down to 13 men.

Pumas captain Julian Montoya didn’t pull any punches about his side’s performance.

He said: “Credit to South Africa, we were not good enough, they were the better team today. Of course I am pleased with what we have done, but you are only as good as your last game, and we were not good enough today. We have to get better.”