How Rugby Champs will be decided if Springboks-Argentina tie

There are some interesting deciding factors if the Springboks and Argentina finish level on log points in the Rugby Championship standings.

The Springboks take on Argentina in the title decider on Saturday. Image: SA Rugby website

Following the Springboks’ shock loss on Saturday, Argentina have now moved up to 14 points on the Rugby Championship standings, while South Africa – who got a losing bonus point – are now on 19.

Should the Springboks win the competition, it would mark the first time they lift the trophy since 2019, while it also cap off a memorable series in which they won the Nelson Mandela Challenge plate Against Australia and the Freedom Cup against New Zealand.

There is no doubt that the Springboks do still have one hand on the trophy, but if Argentina can win with a bonus-point this Saturday – and South Africa don’t get a losing bonus-point – both teams would finish the tournament on 19 points.

In that scenario, it is worth noting that after log points, the standings will then be determined by wins in the competition, wins against the team tied with, and then points difference.

Basically it means that if the Springboks and Argentina ended tied on log points, it would be the Pumas who walk away with the Rugby Championship title.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP LOG AS THE SPRINGBOKS, ARGENTINA VIE FOR TOP SPOT

There is no doubt that the Springboks will be increasingly motivated to bounce back this weekend.

“It hurts a lot,” said Erasmus.

“It’s putting a positive spin on things to say the match in Mbombela could be fitting as a final to the competition because we must first get over this result.

“We have to point fingers at ourselves as coaches and management too, but that said, we have a chance to redeem ourselves next week and to finish the Rugby Championship on a high note.”

Erasmus also gave the Pumas credit for their performance in Santiago: “It was a great match by Argentina, while we made crucial mistakes at vital times, so all credit to them, they deserved the win.

“They knew they had a chance to win the competition with a victory, and you could see they were going for the bonus-point, and they really brought it to us.

“I definitely think the momentum shifted when we received the yellow card (to Kurt-Lee Arendse), so it’s going to be a tough match at Mbombela Stadium next week.”