Springboks vs Argentina: A Southern Hemisphere Rivalry  

33 years, 40 matches, and 35 wins by the Springboks. The rivalry between Argentina and South Africa runs deep. The Springboks have traditionally dominated over Los Pumas. However, every encounter is defined by intense physicality, world-class forward play, and fierce determination.  

These two sides have played consistently against one another since Argentina joined the Rugby Championship in 2012. This annual spectacle has produced some unforgettable moments in the world of rugby union.  

So, ahead of Saturday’s game, the question on everyone’s mind is, can the Springboks keep up their winning streak? Or will Argentina pull off a repeat of 2024? 

The Origins of the Springboks vs Los Pumas Rivalry  

The rivalry between these two great Southern Hemisphere nations dates back to November 1993. It began with South Africa beating Argentina 29-26 and again 52-23 during their 1993 tour. This was the start of the Springboks’ winning streak over Los Pumas, which was broken by a draw in 2012 and the first win by Argentina in 2015.  

Until this draw, South Africa was undefeated in 14 matches. These 14 matches spanned over almost 10 years. These relatively infrequent meetings between the Springboks and Los Pumas occurred until Argentina joined the Rugby Championship in 2012.  

Now, these sides meet almost yearly, with their last meeting being in October 2025.  

The Greatest Springbok Wins Over Argentina  

South Africa 73-13 Argentina (2013 Rugby Championship) 

This 2013 victory over Argentina is the largest winning margin between these two nations. Not only this, but it’s also one of the most dominant performances in Rugby Championship history.  

This heavy victory was marked by nine tries by the Springboks. Flyhalf Morné Steyn scored 28 points with his accurate kicking. South Africa dominated every aspect of the game, from the scrums and lineouts to the breakdown.  

This win marked the 15th time the Springboks had dominated over the Los Pumas. 

South Africa 46-13 Argentina (2019 Rugby Championship) 

The 2019 Rugby Championship was a warm-up for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The Springboks won by 33 points under the leadership of head coach Rassie Erasmus. They combined powerful forward play with clinical finishing out wide.  

Similarly, the Springboks’ defence was not to be messed with. They kept Los Pumas under pressure throughout the match. This convincing win showcased the balance that would lead the Springboks to winning their third Rugby World Cup title.  

South Africa 48-7 Argentina (2024 Rugby Championship) 

In the final match of the 2024 Rugby Championship, South Africa defeated Argentina 48-7. The Springboks went on to claim the Rugby Championship title after this historic win. This came after Los Pumas narrowly winning 29-28 the previous week.  

South Africa took this loss with a pinch of salt and went on to dominate with six tries, showing the Springboks’ ability to bounce back under pressure.  

This match was also historic for Eben Etzebeth, who became the most-capped Springbok ever. 

South Africa 67-30 Argentina (2025 Rugby Championship) 

The Springboks dominated Argentina 67-30 in the 2025 Rugby Championship. This domination especially occurred in the second half, where Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a hat-trick, accumulating a record 37 points.  

He also managed to produce one of the greatest tries in recent years. He perfectly executed a chip kick and chased it himself. This shifted the dynamic of the first half and redefined what it means to be a great fly-half.  

The first half was competitive with the score sitting at 25-23 to South Africa. But the Springboks showed superior fitness and strategy in the second half. Argentina struggled to maintain defence and started trailing further and further behind.  

This victory reinforced the Springboks as number one in world rugby and extended their winning streak over Argentina.  

Springbok vs Los Pumas Head-to-Head Record  

Historically, South Africa has dominated this rivalry. Throughout the years, they have met 40 times. The Springboks have won 35 of these encounters and have drawn once. While this shows South Africa’s superiority and domination over Argentina, these statistics don’t tell us the full story.  

To fully understand these encounters, you need to understand the dynamics between these two sides. Recent encounters have been fiercely competitive with many close calls. Argentina has pushed the Springboks for the full 80 minutes on multiple occasions. This has produced physical forward battles with dominant scrums, powerful driving mauls, and aggressive defence.  

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As this rivalry continues to evolve, the competition between the two sides strengthens. Every Test brings a new storyline with emerging stars and unbelievable starting lineups. So, although history overwhelmingly favours the Springboks, Los Pumas have repeatedly shown that they possess the quality to upset any side.  

So, ahead of Saturday’s game, expect an incredible display of dominance from both sides. This will no doubt be another fiercely contested Test between the Springboks and Los Pumas. Bet on Rugby now with bet.co.za.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Has South Africa ever beaten Argentina in rugby? 

Yes, South Africa have won 35 out of the 40 encounters with Argentina.  

When did Argentina first beat the Springboks? 

Argentina claimed its first-ever victory over the Springboks on 8 August 2015, defeating the Springboks 37-25. 

What is the biggest Springbok win over Argentina? 

The Springboks’ largest victory came in 2013, when they defeated Argentina 73-13 during that year’s Rugby Championship.  

What time is the Springbok-Argentina match? 

The next match between the Springboks and Argentina kicks off on Saturday, 8 August 2026 at 21:00 SAST.