To preserve the Rugby Championship, Argentina defeated SA.

With one game remaining in Santiago, Argentina defeated South Africa 29–28 to prevent the world champions from capturing the Rugby Championship.

Aphelele Fassi and Jesse Kriel's scores put the Springboks, who would have won the championship this year, quickly ahead before the hosts mounted an outstanding comeback.

In the sweltering heat, Mateo Carreras, Pablo Matera, Joel Sclavi, and Tomas Albornoz all crossed the line to give the Pumas the advantage.

Just before halftime, Cobus Reinach scored a try to cut Argentina's lead to 26–22 at the break.

Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok's penalties put the visitors ahead once more, but an Albornoz penalty gave the home team a 29-28 lead.

Prior to Argentina holding on for a historic victory, Libbok had a late penalty opportunity to give his team the lead back but missed it.

Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of the Springboks, made ten changes for the match, but he refused to hold the new players accountable for the defeat.

"While the result is disappointing, it will benefit some of the younger players in the future to see this stadium and how Argentina loosens up the game," Erasmus remarked.

"I promise, it hurts a lot. Not just the players, but also the coaches and management must take responsibility for our actions."

In the Rugby Championship this year, which also features New Zealand and Australia, the loss was South Africa's first in five games; yet, they are still atop the standings with 19 points.

In the last match for both teams on Saturday, September 28, they will visit Argentina, who are in second position with 14 points, in an attempt to win the competition for the first time since 2019.

Salmaan Moerat, the interim captain of South Africa, congratulated Argentina on their perseverance and lack of giving up.

"We played good rugby for the majority of the game, even though they put us under a lot of pressure."

Australia was defeated 31–28 by New Zealand in Sydney earlier on Saturday.