It was do or die at Twickenham for the Springboks as they squared off against Argentina, treating the clash as potentially their last shot at the Rugby Championship title. With the tournament going on hiatus in 2026 and its future up in the air, Rassie Erasmus and his squad knew it was now or never. The nail-biting 29-27 win not only etched their names into the history books with consecutive Sanzaar titles—a first for the Boks—but also capped off an emotionally charged campaign.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks’ strategy, didn't mince words about the high stakes.
“We’re not sure when we’ll play in the Rugby Championship again. I played in the old Tri-Nations and won it once as a player, and we knew today that maybe this was the last chance, maybe this is the last Rugby Championship, I’m not 100% sure how it will work in the future.”
Indeed, with 2026 seeing a break and a series against the All Blacks looming, the uncertainty added a thick layer of drama to the proceedings.
The week leading up to the game was fraught with challenges. “It was a nervy week with only two training sessions, flying over to England, some injuries, so that definitely was a motivational thing for us,” Erasmus explained. This tension, however, did not deter the Boks; instead, it fueled their drive to achieve what no other Bok team had managed before.
Reflecting on the significance of their victory, Erasmus couldn't hide his pride. “These guys have achieved something not a lot of people have. New Zealand have done it many times, they’re a great team, but we’ve never done it,” he noted. As the Rugby Championship’s immediate future remains a question mark, this victory will surely be savored as a potentially lasting legacy.
Looking ahead, the Springboks are set to face the All Blacks in a three-test series dubbed "The Greatest Rivalry", which promises to keep the rugby world on its toes. Beyond that, with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, the shape and form of international southern hemisphere rugby competitions are anyone's guess. One thing is certain: the Boks have secured a place in rugby history, a feat that could stand unchallenged for years to come.
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It was do or die at Twickenham for the Springboks as they squared off against Argentina, treating the clash as potentially their last shot at the Rugby Championship title. With the tournament going on hiatus in 2026 and its future up in the air, Rassie Erasmus and his squad knew it was now or never. The nail-biting 29-27 win not only etched their names into the history books with consecutive Sanzaar titles—a first for the Boks—but also capped off an emotionally charged campaign.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks’ strategy, didn't mince words about the high stakes.
“We’re not sure when we’ll play in the Rugby Championship again. I played in the old Tri-Nations and won it once as a player, and we knew today that maybe this was the last chance, maybe this is the last Rugby Championship, I’m not 100% sure how it will work in the future.”
Indeed, with 2026 seeing a break and a series against the All Blacks looming, the uncertainty added a thick layer of drama to the proceedings.The week leading up to the game was fraught with challenges. “It was a nervy week with only two training sessions, flying over to England, some injuries, so that definitely was a motivational thing for us,” Erasmus explained. This tension, however, did not deter the Boks; instead, it fueled their drive to achieve what no other Bok team had managed before.
Reflecting on the significance of their victory, Erasmus couldn't hide his pride. “These guys have achieved something not a lot of people have. New Zealand have done it many times, they’re a great team, but we’ve never done it,” he noted. As the Rugby Championship’s immediate future remains a question mark, this victory will surely be savored as a potentially lasting legacy.
Looking ahead, the Springboks are set to face the All Blacks in a three-test series dubbed "The Greatest Rivalry", which promises to keep the rugby world on its toes. Beyond that, with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, the shape and form of international southern hemisphere rugby competitions are anyone's guess. One thing is certain: the Boks have secured a place in rugby history, a feat that could stand unchallenged for years to come.