Argentina’s dream of a maiden Rugby Championship title started with immense promise but ultimately faded under the relentless and suffocating pressure of the South African forward pack. The Pumas’ scintillating start was not enough to overcome the Boks’ methodical and powerful game plan in the Twickenham final.
For the first 30 minutes, Argentina looked like the better team. They played with pace and precision, capitalizing on a South African yellow card to race out to a 13-3 lead. Their early try and accurate kicking had the world champions rattled and their fans dreaming of a historic upset.
However, the tide began to turn as the Springboks reverted to type, focusing their efforts on the scrum. The pressure began to build, and a South African try just before halftime cut the deficit and shifted the momentum. The second half saw this pressure intensify into a full-blown onslaught.
The Pumas’ scrum, unable to cope, began to concede penalty after penalty, handing the initiative entirely to South Africa. The early promise and attacking flair were replaced by a desperate defensive effort as the Boks squeezed the life out of the game.
It was a harsh lesson for a brave Argentinian side. While they possess the skill to trouble any team, their defeat was a stark reminder that without a solid set-piece foundation, sustaining a challenge against a powerhouse like South Africa for 80 minutes is an almost impossible task.