Overview

• Los Pumas’ 28–26 win over Australia in Sydney compressed the table to Australia 11 points, South Africa 10, New Zealand 10 and Argentina 9, with all teams at two wins and two losses.
• The UAR confirmed the returns of fly-half Tomás Albornoz and hooker Leonel Oviedo for the South Africa fixtures, with prop Ignacio Calles sidelined by injury and fly-half Nicolás Roger omitted.
• Argentina visit South Africa at Kings Park in Durban on September 27, then face the Springboks again on October 4 at Twickenham after ceding home advantage for commercial reasons.
• The Sydney result lifted Argentina to sixth in the World Rugby rankings on 84.40 points, moving ahead of Australia and strengthening their position for a top seeding in the 2027 World Cup draw.
• Analysts highlight that bonus points and point difference are likely to determine the Championship outcome over the final two rounds.