Aphelele Fassi scored two tries as the Springboks rampaged to a comfortable victory over Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday to claim the Rugby Championship title.

A brace from Fassi, who also set up Cheslin Kolbe’s first-half try, and Pieter-Steph du Toit guided the Springboks to a bonus-point 48-7 win as the world champions won the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.

It also marked Eben Etzebeth’s record-breaking 128th Test cap with a sensational performance.

Burning from a defeat in Santiago del Estero, the Springboks raced out of the blocks at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium, with Fassi and Du Toit dotting down in the opening 15 minutes, taking full advantage of a dominant scrum platform provided by Ox Nche and Frans Malherbe.

Freed from the kicking responsibilities by scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who kicked two conversions and a penalty, Manie Libbok also enjoyed a sensational match, carving Argentina with his trademark crossfield kicks.

The Springboks took a 27-7 lead into the break, after Kolbe sidestepped his way over the tryline just before half-time, but it took until Malcolm Marx scored from a driving maul in the final 15 minutes to add to the lead in a scrappy second half that saw Los Pumas lose Pablo Matera to a red card for a dangerous clean out.

Next up for the Boks will be a month’s break, before the November tour of the UK, with fixtures against Scotland (10 November), England (16 November) and Wales (23 November).

The post Rampant Boks romp to Rugby Champs title appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Src: sarugbymag.co.za