Brilliant Boks clinch Rugby Championship with emphatic win over Argentina

The Boks started with intent, attacking with power and pace and winning a series of penalties as the visitors desperately tried to defend.

After opting for a scrum, the Boks showed their power as they drove the Pumas back. The penalty try wasn't awarded, but the Boks kept coming, eventually calling for another scrum, and this time it was a quick flat ball out wide to Aphelele Fassi that finally saw them open the scores.

The Pumas had barely gotten their hands on the ball when the crowd was soon on its feet again as Cheslin Kolbe won the ball via an intercept, juggling the ball before regathering and charging down the field. That led to another assault on the Pumas' line, which ended with Pieter-Steph du Toit acrobatically diving over the top and ruck and touching down for the try. Jaden Hendrikse, assuming the kicking duties instead of Manie Libbok, nailed a tough conversion from the touchline to make it 14-0.

Argentina soon hit back, however, showing some superb skills as they got the better of the Bok rush defence via a scything line-break and some skillful hands to score their opening try via flyhalf Tomas Albornoz.

A silly mistake from the restart saw the Boks win a soft penalty, however, and Hendrikse took the points on offer to put the hosts back in front by 10.

The Boks probably should have had their third try moments later after a swift counter-attack created numbers, but a pass from Jesse Kriel to Du Toit couldn't go to hand and the chance went begging. Not long after, the Boks looked to have created another overlap but play had to be stopped due to an injury against an Argentine player.

With 10 minutes to go in what was a helter-skelter first half, Mateo Careras took out Fassi in the air and got a yellow card for his troubles. The Boks didn't need a second invitation to go on the attack, and despite some valiant Argentine defence, the gap eventually opened up after some great work near the touchline from Kolbe, though it was Fassi who got over the line for his second try. Hendrikse hit the upright from the touchline as the Boks took a 22-7 lead.

The Pumas were under all sorts of pressure now, and the Boks weren't giving them a moment to relax. Looking virtually unstoppable as they moved the ball from end to end, it was two beautiful passes from Libbok and Fassi that created a one-on-one for Kolbe, who stepped inside and scored the home side's fourth try.

The second half started much like the first, with the Boks looking dangerous as they made their way into Argentine territory, though a little knock-on let the under-fire Pumas off the hook. 

Argentina were just about surviving, helped by a few handling errors from the Boks, but when they were handed a rare opportunity to go on the attack via a kick for the corner, the Springboks' defence stood firm, showing some serious bite as they drove the Pumas back and won the penalty.

To make matters worse, the TMO spotted an off-the-ball high shot from Pablo Matera during that passage of play, which led to Argentina's second yellow card, a disastrous result considering it came from a rare foray into the Boks' 22. The call would soon come from the TMO that the card was being upgraded to a red as well.

It got even worse for the under-fire Argentines as they copped another yellow for a failed intercept attempt, and that mistake would lead to the Boks' fifth try as they kicked for the corner and powered over the line via their rolling maul, Malcolm Marx getting the score from behind the pack.

The South Africans were back on the attack from the restart after substitute Lukhanyo Am sold a dummy and charged down the field, but Kurt-Lee Arendse couldn't quite reach Fassi's crossfield kick in the corner.

But the Boks were running riot now with a two-man advantage and they were soon in for try number six after moving the ball out wide at pace where Du Toit drew in a couple of defenders before releasing Arendse, with the big flanker also applying the finishing touches to get his second try.

Only the final whistle could save the Pumas now, but there was still time for the Boks to score try number seven as Jesse Kriel was rewarded for a great day at the office following a break from Elrigh Louw.

Argentina were given one final chance to finish with a flourish but the Springboks won the turnover as a memorable night in Mbombela came to a close.

READ MORE: Bulls open URC campaign with hard-fought win against Edinburgh at Loftus