Rugby Championship Recap - Round 2: Argentina record history making win over New Zealand

Elsewhere in the competition, South Africa returned fire against Australia to level their mini-series with the Wallabies. The Springboks pulled no punches in the eight-point victory, with plenty of plaudits bestowed upon Joe Schmidt's Wallabies in the 30-22 classic.

Each of the four Rugby Championship sides now have one win under their belts, from the first two weekend's of the tournament. It's all to play for as we head into round three, as the Springboks head to New Zealand whilst Australia host Argentina.

South Africa bounced back from last weekend’s shock defeat with a hard-fought 30-22 win over Australia at a packed DHL Stadium in Cape Town. In front of 56,350 supporters, the Springboks combined their revered forward power and back-line precision to grind out a victory over a resolved Wallabies outfit, to retain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate for another year.

Handré Pollard set the tone with a flourish of early penalty goals, as the Boks’ forwards dominated the scrum and controlled the breakdown. Canan Moodie’s first-half try, followed by Kwagga Smith crossing after sustained pressure, put South Africa 20-10 up at the break. Despite the deficit, the Wallabies remained competitive, with Corey Toole, Max Jorgensen, and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all scoring tries to keep the visitors within striking distance.

The second half was tense, with both sides committing handling errors, but Pollard’s third penalty kept the scoreboard moving. Replacement locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager added muscle late on in the proceedings, with Etzebeth crashing over for a decisive try four minutes from time. Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe turned over the Wallabies, to thwart an Australian attack in the closing stages, and secure the hard-earned win.

Pollard’s calm game management and precise kicking rightfully earned him the Player of the Match accolade, as the Springboks showed they could indeed weather adversity to deliver under pressure. Australia left Cape Town with lessons learned, but their tails high from once again taking the back-to-back World Champions to their limits upon home soil. South Africa will take every confidence from regaining winning momentum, as they jet out to New Zealand ahead of their incoming clash with the All Blacks.

TRIES: 3 (Moodie, Smith, Etzebeth)

CONVERSIONS: 3 (Pollard)

PENALTIES: 3 (Pollard)

TRIES: 3 (Toole, Jorgensen, Paenga-Amosa)

CONVERSIONS: 2 (O’Connor)

PENALTIES: 1 (O'Connor)

Argentina produced a landmark performance to claim their first home victory over New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, edging the All Blacks 29-23 at Estadio José Amalfitani. The Pumas capitalised on All Black inaccuracies in the air and at the breakdown, turning early opportunities into scoreboard pressure, while poor New Zealand lineout execution and three yellow cards disrupted their rhythm.

The contest was finely balanced at 13-13 at halftime, with both sides exchanging early scores. Argentina’s determination shone through in the second half as flanker Pablo Matera, captain Julián Montoya, and second five-eighths Santiago Chocobares led a relentless campaign. Replacement fullback Santiago Carreras kept the scoreboard ticking with three penalties, while Juan Martin González and Gonzalo García scored pivotal tries after sustained forward pressure.

New Zealand showed flashes of class, with Samisoni Taukei’aho crossing from a maul and Billy Proctor and Fletcher Newell touching down, but the All Blacks struggled to impose themselves as Argentina’s defence remained resolute. Beauden Barrett’s goal-kicking woes compounded New Zealand’s frustrations, and Damian McKenzie’s late penalty salvaged only a losing bonus point.

The result breaks a 0-15 home record against the All Blacks, sending a seismic statement from Buenos Aires and underlining Argentina’s growth on the international stage. It was a victory forged through discipline, physicality, and strategic opportunism, ensuring Los Pumas will head into Round 3 with belief that they can not only compete, but should be considered a threat to the world’s elite.

TRIES: 2 (Gonzalez, Garcia)

CONVERSIONS: 2 (Carreras)

PENALTIES: 5 (Albornoz, Mallia, Carreras 3)

TRIES: 3 (Proctor, Newell, Taukei'aho)

CONVERSION: 1 (McKenzie)

PENALTIES: 2 (McKenzie, B. Barrett)