Salta (Argentina) (AFP)

South Africa won for the first time the Rugby Championship after their 46-13 victory over Argentina on Saturday in Salta, thanks to Handre Pollard's 31 points, on the third and final day of the competition, including New Zealand and Australia.

A success especially significant that the Springboks also held in check the All Blacks (16-16), a few months of the World Cup.

The Springboks won the Tri Nations in 2009, before the arrival of Argentina in the competition which then became the Rugby Championship.

"It's a fantastic feeling to win a trophy of this magnitude for the first time in the last 10 years - it's a great reward for the whole team that has provided hard work and great satisfaction before going to the Cup. of the world, "commented South African captain Duane Vermeulen.

South Africa, with a total of 12 points, ahead of the standings Australia (8 pts) who beat 47-26 All Blacks, double world champions in title (6 pts). Argentina is last with 2 points.

The Rugby Championship has been reduced from six to three days due to the World Cup in Japan (20 September-2 November).

"We have met the best teams in the southern hemisphere, so we are pleased to be able to do so, although we still have a lot of work to do before the World Cup, but we are happy that we have achieved and win the Rugby Championship is a fantastic achievement, "added the captain.

Thanks to his opening half Pollard, author of two trials, three transformations and a penalty, 19 points out of the 46 of his training, the Springboks led from end to end the meeting, including reaching the half-time with 11 points ahead.

Three other tests signed by Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe materialized the clear South African domination, especially since the Argentineans flattened only once by Santiago Cordero.

The two countries will face each other again, but in test-match this time, next Saturday, in Pretoria, in preparation for the World Cup-2019.

© 2019 AFP