Overview

• South Africa edged Argentina 29-27 in London to clinch consecutive Rugby Championship titles, finishing level on 19 points with New Zealand and prevailing on points difference.
• Rassie Erasmus and Cobus Reinach acknowledged inconsistency in a stop‑start campaign, with a five‑match November tour next and a squad announcement expected within two weeks.
• The Springboks’ tour features Japan at Wembley before France, Italy, Ireland and Wales, with expected returns for Kurt‑Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Gerhard Steenekamp, while several others remain doubtful.
• Scott Robertson’s All Blacks used 43 players and nine rookies as new loose forwards Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi and Simon Parker pressed claims, though the campaign also included a record loss to South Africa and a first defeat in Argentina.
• ESPN reports injuries to Tyrel Lomax and Tupou Vaa’i for New Zealand with Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke and Ethan de Groot due back, while standout tournament moments included Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu’s 37‑point game and Reinach’s player‑of‑the‑match display.