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Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok missed a straightforward penalty with a minute left as Argentina kept The Rugby Championship alive with a stunning 29-28 win over South Africa in Santiago del Estero.
The hosts, who have already split their series against Australia and New Zealand 1-1, added another big scalp after leading 26-22 at halftime, having turned the match around after the Boks led 17-0 through 12 minutes.
The loss was South Africa’s third in 18 matches in Argentina, the first since 2018, and just their fourth of all time against the Pumas.
It also sees the reigning World Cup champions lose top spot in the World Rugby rankings to Ireland.
Argentina crossed for four tries to three to beat a Boks team looking to secure a first TRC title since 2019. The loss means that Argentina can claim the title when the teams meet in the final round in Nelspruit, South Africa next week.
South Africa were off to a fast start with tries to Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel within seven minutes but the hosts scored four of their own, helped by a yellow card to Kurt-Lee Arendse for a high tackle, before South Africa next crossed the white line.
Mateo Carreras (14′), Pablo Matera (21′), Joel Sclavi (26′) and the excellent flyhalf Tomas Albornoz (34′) gave the Pumas momentum before Cobus Reiach went over two minutes before halftime.
South Africa edged ahead through penalties from Handre Pollard and his replacement Libbok before Albornoz, who missed three from the tee, slotted a penalty of his own to give the Pumas a one-point lead.
With the game entering the final minutes Argentina winger Mateo Carreras dropped a high kick in his own half to give the Boks a winning position.
Soon after their scrum win they won a penalty for a Pumas player caught not rolling away, and Libbok had a clear chance to seal the win with 1 minute four seconds on the clock. It capped a miserable cameo from Libbok who had also kicked a penalty dead while South Africa were in front and their lineout was in command.
He pulled his attempt from the right of the posts across the face of the sticks, sending the full crowd into wild delight.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match against the back-to-back world champions,” Argentina captain Julian Montoya said. “I wasn’t worried about the mistakes.
“I was worried when we were 17-0 down but I told the team we have a plan and we are going to execute it. We trusted each other. We win together and we lose together and I’m super proud of the team.”
Eben Etzebeth took the field in the 47th minute to equal fellow lock Victor Matfield’s record of 127 Test appearances for South Africa. He will claim the record outright if he plays in the rematch next weekend.
“We need to continue applying pressure. There were times in the game when we let go of it,” stand-in South Africa captain Salmaan Moerat said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.