Springboks Clinch Top Spot in Rugby Championship with Dominant Victory

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaks record with 37 points in stunning display

South Africa's rugby team defeats Argentina 67-30, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scoring a record-breaking 37 points to lead the Springboks to the top of the Rugby Championship table.

“We expected the tough start, we knew what Argentina was going to bring. They took their opportunities in the first half....”

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring 37 points and leading the Springboks to a commanding 67-30 victory over Argentina. This impressive win propelled South Africa to the top of the Rugby Championship table. Feinberg-Mngomezulu's remarkable achievement included a hat-trick of tries, surpassing Percy Montgomery's long-standing record of 35 points in a single test match.

What a win for the #Springboks to go top of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship log. Durban, we felt you! Thanks @lospumas, see you next week in London 🙌#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvARG pic.twitter.com/m3Hm1Hipux

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 27, 2025

The Springboks' victory was fueled by outstanding contributions from several players, including:

• Hooker Malcolm Marx: scored a try

• Wing Cheslin Kolbe: scored a try and showcased exceptional skills

• Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg: scored a try

• Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit: scored two tries

• Replacement back Manie Libbok: scored a try and provided crucial support

The win puts the Springboks in a strong position to defend their Rugby Championship title, with Argentina now eliminated from contention. South Africa will face Argentina again next weekend in London, where a win would secure the championship crown.

“This was a vibe, I am very happy,” Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23, said. “We just wanted to play good rugby, put the work we have done in training into the game.

“Playing transition scenarios and getting the right balance between kicking and running -- I think we did that.”

Argentina put up a strong fight in the first half, but South Africa's impressive performance led to a 25-23 halftime lead in favor of the Springboks. The Argentine team showed tenacity, scoring tries through centre Santiago Chocobares and replacement back Tomas Albornoz, as well as a penalty try.

Current Rugby Championship Standings

1. South Africa: 15 points
2. New Zealand: 14 points
3. Australia: 11 points
4. Argentina: 9 points

With one round remaining, Argentina is no longer in contention for the championship title. However, they will host South Africa in London next Saturday, on October 4th, at 14:00 WAT, at the Jose Amalfitani venue in Buenos Aires. This upcoming match will be a chance for Argentina to conclude the tournament on a high note.

The win puts South Africa in a strong position to retain their Rugby Championship title. However, captain Siya Kolisi cautioned that his team still faces a tough challenge in their final match next weekend at Twickenham. The Springboks will need to maintain their form to secure the championship crown.

“We expected the tough start, we knew what Argentina was going to bring. They took their opportunities in the first half,” Kolisi said.

“The message after halftime was to cut out the stupid errors and penalties we were giving away and to play as composed as we can.

“Next week we will go as hard as we can to win it. The job is not done yet.”

Argentina dominated the opening 40 minutes, but the Springboks managed to stay in the game thanks to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's exceptional playmaking skills. Despite their strong performance, Argentina's lead was not as substantial as expected.

In a bizarre turn of events, Argentina scored a try after Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe inadvertently set them up. Kolbe dotted the ball down behind his own tryline for a goal-line drop-out, and instead of kicking it deep, he casually drop-kicked the ball towards Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was supposed to take the restart. However, Argentine centre Santiago Chocobares pounced on the loose ball and scored, leaving the Springboks players stunned.

There was a moment of confusion on the field as the referees consulted the TMO to determine the legitimacy of Argentina's try. Eventually, it was confirmed that Kolbe's actions had indeed made the ball live, allowing Argentina to capitalize on the unusual sequence of events.

CHESLIN KOLBE WOW 🔥#RSAvARG #therugbychampionship pic.twitter.com/1noEu6sr7b

— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 27, 2025

The Springboks took control of the game after halftime, showcasing excellent handling, pinpoint aerial balls, and an increasingly adventurous style of play. As the match progressed, they built a significant lead on the scoreboard, ultimately securing a convincing 67-30 victory over Argentina. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's exceptional performance, including a hat-trick of tries and 37 points, was a key factor in the Springboks' dominant display.

“We weren't good enough, I am very disappointed,” Argentina captain Julian Montoya said. “South Africa are the best team in the world and they capitalised on every mistake we made.

“We lost the contact (situations). We could not cope with how South Africa put pressure on us. It was a tough day but we need to regroup and stay together.”

Argentina's scrumhalf Gonzalo García left the field on a stretcher in the final minutes of the match against South Africa, sparking concern over the severity of his injury. García was tackled by Manie Libbok and teammate Guido Petti fell on top of him, causing García to remain motionless on the ground. The medical staff quickly attended to him, immobilizing his neck and head before stretcher-ing him off the field with respiratory assistance.

Fortunately, García showed positive signs immediately after the incident, lifting his thumb to indicate he was conscious and responsive. However, he'll undergo further medical tests to determine the extent of his injury. Given García's injury history, including a shoulder surgery earlier this year and a serious knee injury last season that required surgery, Argentina will likely be cautious in assessing his condition.

The Argentine team will likely be anxious about García's injury, given his importance as their primary scrumhalf. With Argentina set to face South Africa again next week, the extent of García's injury will be crucial in determining his availability for the upcoming match.