Rugby Championship: Round 4 - Springboks hand All Blacks record defeat as Pumas stun Wallabies in Sydney

Meanwhile, Los Pumas showed composure under pressure to silence a record Allianz Stadium crowd, with Santiago Carreras’ nerveless boot proving the difference against a fast-finishing Wallabies side. With both matches producing historic narratives, the Championship table has been shaken once again. All four sides now have two wins and two losses to their respective Rugby Championship efforts, with the upcoming fortnight set to decide the closest campaign in recent memory.

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Argentina claimed a hard-fought 28–26 victory over Australia in Sydney, holding off a late Wallabies surge to retain the Puma Trophy. In front of a record 41,912 crowd at Allianz Stadium, fly-half Santiago Carreras was the difference, nailing seven penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking while Joe Schmidt's Wallabies battled with their own inconsistency.

The Pumas pounced early when captain Julián Montoya charged down a Tane Edmed clearance to score, while Carreras’ relentless accuracy from the tee opened a 19–7 half-time lead. Joseph Sua’ali’i had crossed for Australia’s lone first-half try, but the hosts were their own worst enemies with repeated errors and ill-discipline handing the advantage to the South American side.

The Wallabies looked dead and buried when Carreras stretched the gap to 21 points with his seventh penalty, but Joe Schmidt’s side finally found their attacking spark. Andrew Kellaway grabbed a quick tap try, before break-out wing Filipo Daugunu bagged a brace in the closing stages to set up a tense finale.

With the clock in the red, Australia had to go 90 metres for a miracle finish, but a loose James O’Connor pass denied Sua’ali’i the chance to break through. Carreras gleefully booted the ball dead to seal a famous win and Argentina’s first Rugby Championship victory on Australian soil since 2018. For Contepomi’s men, composure under pressure proved decisive, while Australia must regroup quickly ahead of their Bledisloe Cup showdown.

Tries: 4 (Joseph Sua’ali’i, Andrew Kellaway, Filipo Daugunu 2)

Cons: 3 (Tane Edmed, James O’Connor 2)

Tries: 1 (Julián Montoya)

Con: 1 (Santiago Carreras)

Pens: 7 (Santiago Carreras 7)

South Africa delivered a performance for the ages in Wellington, inflicting a record 43–10 defeat on New Zealand to claim their biggest ever win over the All Blacks. Siya Kolisi’s side scored 36 unanswered second-half points, eclipsing even the 35–7 demolition they handed New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium, in the run-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks had edged into a 10–7 lead at the break, with debutant Leroy Carter crossing after a slick team move and Damian McKenzie adding the extras. Yet Cheslin Kolbe’s 65-metre intercept score proved a momentum swing, and from then on the Springboks dominated every facet. Damian Willemse orchestrated proceedings with precision, mixing incisive running and deft kicks to devastating effect.

Kolbe added a second score after the restart, before Willemse, Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman all crossed as South Africa’s forwards overwhelmed their hosts. Replacement Andre Esterhuizen put the finishing touches on a remarkable display, with Manie Libbok flawless from the tee.

In contrast, New Zealand’s attack faltered, their kicking game misfiring and defensive shape collapsing under relentless pressure. Injuries compounded their woes, but the scale of the defeat will leave Scott Robertson with serious questions heading into the Rugby Championship’s latter rounds. For South Africa, it was a statement of intent, in a brutal yet skilful performance that will echo through Rugby Championship history.

Tries: 1 (Leroy Carter)

Cons: 1 (Damian McKenzie)

Pen: 1 (Damian McKenzie)

Tries: 6 (Cheslin Kolbe 2, Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen)

Cons: 5 (Manie Libbok 5)

Pen: 1 (Manie Libbok)