New Zealand’s 28-14 bonus-point win over Australia in Perth earlier meant that SA needed a bonus-point victory to win the title with clear water, though their overwhelming points advantage meant that any win would be enough.
After an error-strewn first half they trailed 13-10 but two tries by Malcolm Marx and a second for Cobus Reinach were a fair reflection of a dominant second half, with Delguy’s interception second and Rodrigo Isgro’s score at the death merely denying the Springboks a bonus point.
SA, who won the Rugby Championship title two years in a row for the first time, finished on 19 points, with New Zealand second, also on 19.
Australia ended on 11 points and Argentina 10.
–Reuters–
