Rugby Championship: South Africa dominate Argentina, crown New Zealand

Match: 38-21

The Springboks knew the roadmap to winning the rugby championship: winning Saturday at the flamboyant Kings Park in Durban with the offensive bonus, and by at least 39 points to hope to win the competition in the overall average goals. Troubled by the mighty Pumas, South Africa finished second to allow New Zealand to claim their sixth title in seven years. On Saturday morning, the All Blacks crushed the Wallabies (40-14) in Auckland and won the decisive attack bonus.

The first half hour long looked like an offensive defense between a team playing for victory on the sixth and final day of the competition and another coming in free spirit, though there may be a podium at stake. And according to their customs, the Boks did not bother with good manners and imposed their power in conquest.

Inevitably, penalties were restricted in the first half of the hour: 10 against Pumas (21 at the end), who spent the first half outnumbered by Kramer (16) and Gonzalez (27).

Fortunately for the Argentines, De Allende forgot to serve his teammates (7), Montoya scratched the ball five meters from the line (11) and Le Roux (27) preferred to play the single-card on the closed side and return to the in. -Goal. The only two attempts, from Wiese on a dork scrum (19) and Kolisi on a portable ball (29), seemed like little consolation for the world champions.

The visitors reacted timidly with the first incursion (33), and finally made a good operation to bridge the gap in the sirens through Bertrano (40, 17-7). Then they put the South Africans under pressure as they returned from the locker room, unable to break free or slow down the ranks. Gonzalez, who was placed on the left wing, found himself up against Le Roux and ditched the back of a brilliant spare tire before wrapping up unopposed (47th place).

The match sank in a state of indiscipline, and both teams received a series of yellow cards: Argentine de la Fuente (56) and Sklavy (73) both missed two opposing balls that were converted into penalty attempts (56, 73), while Etzebeth (60th place) ) for a stroller and de Klerk (65) for a carry-on ball foul also spent ten minutes on the bench. Back Arendse, who played, completed the success of Boks (80), who defended at halftime.

Pumas Race winners (36-20) the day before in Buenos Aires, Springboks, miss the chance to win a full Southern Hemisphere Championship since 2009 (the 2019 edition was truncated due to the FIFA Cup). . With this setback, Argentina finished fourth and last in the tournament despite two victories.

Player: Frans Stein in half colours

South Africa’s opening match made a performance in their team’s image: clumsy despite overall dominance. Established for the first time since June 2008 at the opening, the Versatile Veteran (35) had to make up for the absences of Postal Specialist Handry Pollard (injured), Damien Willemsey (flabby) or Elton Gantgis (unwanted).

The former Racingman missed a penalty (14) and a kick (20) and was not comfortable with his teammates during his holidays in the second half. He devoted himself to double the candles during the second trimester, without further success.