Australia secured a hard-fought 27-21 victory over Argentina in San Salvador de Jujuy, extending head coach Les Kiss’s unbeaten start with the Wallabies to three matches. The win, achieved on August 30, marked Australia’s first away triumph under Kiss and highlighted the growing effectiveness of their set-piece play, an area that had previously been a weakness.
Australia led 22-14 at halftime, benefiting from strong performances in their lineouts and scrums. A critical moment came late in the match when Charlie Cale secured a decisive lineout steal in the 79th minute, stalling an Argentine attack and preserving the Wallabies’ lead as the game concluded. Earlier, a scrum penalty also helped Australia establish control during the first half.
The match featured moments where the Wallabies could have put the result beyond doubt. In the 71st minute, Jeremy Williams’s try was disallowed after replays confirmed he had lost control of the ball. Shortly after, Tate McDermott was held up over the line in the 73rd minute, and a kick from Carter Gordon went dead as he sought to pin Argentina deep, allowing the home team to launch a late offensive. Fraser McReight’s crucial turnover penalty thwarted Argentine momentum during this period.
Australia fielded a somewhat refreshed lineup, with Isaac Kailea and Isaac Henry starting, while captain Harry Wilson was rested. Ryan Lonergan began at halfback but was replaced by Tate McDermott early in the second half following a tackle on Argentinian fullback Geronin Priscantelli and subsequent heavy collision involving Hunter Paisami.
The match unfolded with intensity and physicality, particularly after halftime. Argentina briefly narrowed the score when prop Boris Wenger powered over near the line in the 52nd minute, bringing the Pumas within one point at 22-21. However, Tom Hooper’s try shortly after, capitalizing on breaks by Paisami and Gordon, restored Australia’s advantage.
The game’s tempo dipped in the second half, with scrappy exchanges prevailing over the high-quality rugby seen in earlier fixtures. The Wallabies weathered pressure during a sin-bin period for winger Harry Potter, who was temporarily sidelined for a deliberate knockdown. Argentina responded with a try by No.8 Joaquin Moro, closing the gap to 19-14 before Lonergan’s long-range penalty goal extended Australia’s lead.
Meanwhile, in a separate Test, South Africa leveled their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand with a 33-26 win in Cape Town. The Springboks’ approach contrasted with the All Blacks’ style, focusing on physical dominance through set pieces and tight forward play rather than expansive wide running.
South African coach Rassie Erasmus made a notable front-row change, starting Deon Fourie on the bench and opting for experience when Fourie was introduced. The versatile forward’s impact was immediate, particularly in lineouts and driving mauls that helped set the tone for the Springboks’ attack. Siya Kolisi’s leadership and powerful running, alongside contributions from Damian de Allende and Jasper Wiese, punctuated waves of pressure on the New Zealand defense.
New Zealand found success exploiting wider channels, with dynamic backline moves producing tries by players such as Will Jordan and Cam Roigard. However, the All Blacks struggled to counter the sustained physicality of the Springbok pack, which disrupted their traditional rhythm.
The series now stands level, setting up a decisive conclusion in upcoming fixtures. While South Africa demonstrated strength and forward dominance, New Zealand faces the challenge of winning better lineout ball and countering the Springboks’ physical game in order to regain the advantage.
Overall, both contests reflect strategic contrasts: Australia’s evolving set-piece proficiency aiding a crucial away victory, and South Africa’s forward-driven approach leveling a historic rivalry against New Zealand. With the Rugby World Cup just over a year away, these matches offer valuable insights into the development and challenges each team faces moving forward.