The 2024 Rugby Championship is entering the final third of the tournament as Round Five of Six rolls on this weekend with some gruelling matchups. Split with All Blacks v Wallabies and Argentina v South Africa, Round Five offers a thrilling spectacle for fans. Kicking off the round is another edition of the Bledisloe Cup with the Wallabies hosting the All Blacks in Sydney before the two title contenders Argentina and South Africa slug it out in Santiago. The All Blacks travel to Sydney on the back of two defeats to the Springboks in games they would have felt they could have won, especially the Johannesburg clash. Meanwhile, the Wallabies come off a record 67-27 defeat to Argentina and will be desperate to find a way to win the clash. Unlike years before it is these two teams propping up the Rugby Championship table.
The second Test has a lot on the line with the Springboks able to secure the title with a victory provided they limit Argentina’s bonus points, while the hosts come off that outrageously good second half against the Wallabies and could pose a serious danger to the world champions.
Bledisloe Cup: Wallabies Aim for Revenge Against All Blacks
The Wallabies will be looking for revenge against the All Blacks after their record-breaking loss in Argentina. The return of Nic White could prove vital for the Wallabies in what could become another mauling. Meanwhile, the All Blacks, will be hoping to unleash their backline which stuttered in South Africa, but the return of Beauden Barrett to fullback could see New Zealand slice the Wallabies apart with his strong partnership with Damian McKenzie. The All Blacks have made their scrum one of their biggest weapons and could easily make it a hellish night for the Wallabies up front.
Rugby Championship Title: Springboks Eye Victory Against Pumas
The Springboks head to Santiago looking to secure the Rugby Championship title. They have rested some of their frontline stars after a torrid two-Test battle with the All Blacks. This week's lineup sees Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Cobus Reinach all named in the starting backline, while Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit and Malcolm Marx are all news faces in the run-on pack. The team will be captained by Moerat with Siya Kolisi set to take up a position in the coach's box this weekend.
A Battle for the Title: Springboks vs. Pumas
Argentina, meanwhile, have made three changes in the forward pack with Pedro Rubiolo returning to the second row, partnering Franco Molina with Tomas Lavanini and Guido Petti missing out altogether. Joaquin Oviedo was rewarded for coming off the bench against the Wallabies and will play at number eight as Juan Martin Gonzalez shifts to the bench, while the uncapped tighthead prop Pedro Delgado has been named on the bench for the first time, in place of Eduardo Bello. Veteran winger Matias Moroni is also among the replacements after returning from a hip injury that saw him miss the last two clashes in the Rugby Championship. The Pumas will need to get their set-piece humming, especially their scrum which has had its issues so far, meanwhile the Springboks will be more than happy to use their powerful forward pack to bash their way down the park before they unleash their formidable backline.
Predictions: All Blacks, Springboks Favored
While the Wallabies have made some changes, it’s hard to see them pulling off a win against the All Blacks. The All Blacks are favored to win by 20 points. On the other hand, the Springboks are also favored to win their match against the Pumas, but it will be a close battle. The Springboks are expected to win by 15 points.
The Rugby Championship: A Thrilling Conclusion
As the Rugby Championship reaches its climax, fans can expect two thrilling matches. The Springboks are in a great position to win the title, but they will need to overcome a tough challenge in Argentina. The Bledisloe Cup is also on the line, and the All Blacks will be looking to maintain their dominance over the Wallabies. The action kicks off this Saturday, with the Wallabies hosting the All Blacks in Sydney at 3:45pm AEST, followed by the Springboks taking on the Pumas in Santiago at 8pm ARG.
