The All Blacks were far too good for the Springboks in Auckland while Argentina scored a late, late try to stun Australia in Western Sydney on Saturday.
Kiwis outgun Boks
The Springboks fell 20-35 to New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday with Ian Foster’s side now just a game away from claiming yet another Rugby Championship title. The hosts raced into a 17-0 lead inside the opening 15-minutes to effectively put the game to bed, with their kicking game, execution and intensity blowing the world champions off the park.
While the men in green and gold did well to stage a much-improved second-half fightback, there was little chance of catching the Kiwis after their fast start.
Pumas steal win at the death
Argentina scored in the dying moments to inflict a 31-34 defeat on Australia at the CommBank Stadium. The game was about as tight as they come, with the scores locked at 10-all at halftime before the South Americans ultimately went on to bag the result courtesy of a late Juan Martin Gonzalez try.
With the All Blacks lying in wait in the final round, the Wallabies could well go winless this campaign. Meanwhile, Argentina will look to seal second when they travel to Johannesburg to take on the Springboks.
Weekend highlights
Check out some of the weekend’s best moments.
Willie, Kolbe underline enduring class
Despite the team’s poor showing overall, Willie le Roux and Cheslin Kolbe produced this world class play in the final quarter.
What an unbelievable pass and finish.
That pass by Willie 🔥 https://t.co/EaQ5rz2JDa
— Clifford Sihlezana (@CliffUnderPar) July 15, 2023
Try or no try?
Should the officials have awarded Cheslin Kolbe a try here?
Was this a try by Cheslin Kolbe? 👀
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 15, 2023
Schalk and Shimmy seem to disagree with the ref here 👇
Score: 17-0
📺 Stream #NZLvRSA live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/8vaS6IoTSc
Vamos
Argentina displayed real staying power to earn the win late on.
Watch as Juan Martin Gonzalez wins it for Argentina in the dying minutes 🔥🙌#AUSvsARG pic.twitter.com/a4BuNC0blH
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 15, 2023
Another Eddie pearler
Never change, Eddie.
Last post on Eddie Jones' conference.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 16, 2023
Any other injuries?
🤣 His answer: #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/mGo6lPALIQ
