Južná Afrika vs Argentína

Both sides entered the match nursing the disappointment of semi-final defeats — South Africa had fallen 20-18 to New Zealand in a classic, while Argentina were outclassed 29-15 by Australia. The bronze final offered a chance to salvage pride and, for the Springboks, to avoid a repeat of their fourth-place finish in 1999.

South Africa fielded a near full-strength XV, while Argentina made nine changes due to injuries and exhaustion from a gruelling campaign. The Pumas, who had lit up the tournament with their attacking flair, were notably without star wingers Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero, while hooker Agustín Creevy and flanker Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe were clearly struggling for fitness.

For the Springboks, this was also a farewell. Lock Victor Matfield captained the side in his 127th and final Test appearance, while winger Bryan Habana entered the match tied with Jonah Lomu on 15 career Rugby World Cup tries — needing just one to stand alone as the tournament's all-time leading try scorer.

From the opening whistle, South Africa's physicality told. Argentina enjoyed the better of territory and possession — finishing with 65% and 63% respectively — but they ran into an unbreachable defensive wall. Eben Etzebeth produced a monstrous shift of 20 tackles alone, while Francois Louw won a remarkable five turnovers.

The Boks drew first blood through a Handré Pollard penalty after Argentina were caught offside at a ruck. The fly-half, who had endured a mixed tournament with the boot, was flawless from the tee on the night.

South Africa's first try arrived in the 15th minute. After sustained forward pressure, the ball was worked wide to JP Pietersen on the right wing. The big Springbok showed tremendous strength to power through two tackles and reach for the line. The TMO confirmed the grounding, and Pollard converted for a 10-0 lead.

Habana came agonisingly close to writing his name into the record books midway through the half. A clever chip from Pollard sent him chasing, but Argentina full-back Lucas González Amorosino got a fingertip to the ball at the last moment, denying the winger. The near-miss seemed to affect Habana, who spilled several passes in a slightly jittery performance before being substituted to a standing ovation with 15 minutes remaining.

Pollard added two further penalties before the break, the last with the final kick of the half, sending South Africa into the changing rooms with a commanding 16-0 lead.

Argentina emerged with renewed purpose after the interval. Nicolás Sánchez, who would finish as the tournament's top scorer with 97 points, slotted a drop goal within minutes of the restart to get the Pumas on the board.

But just as Argentina sensed a path back into the contest, South Africa struck a decisive blow. From a line-out deep in Argentine territory, the Springboks mauled powerfully before the ball was spun wide. Etzebeth — all 6ft 8in of him — crashed over from close range to extend the lead to 21-3. The try effectively killed the contest.

Sánchez kept Argentina in touch with a penalty, and Pollard responded in kind for South Africa, making it 24-6 with a typically assured strike.

The Pumas refused to wave the white flag. In the dying minutes, replacement prop Juan Pablo Orlandi forced his way over from close range, and Sánchez converted to give the scoreboard a slightly more respectable look. But it was too little, too late.

The victory gave South Africa a measure of consolation after falling short in the semi-finals. For Victor Matfield, it was a fitting send-off — the legendary lock captained the side for the final time before stepping into retirement as one of the most decorated players in Springbok history.

Habana's wait for outright try-scoring glory would continue. He finished tied with Lomu on 15 World Cup tries — a record that would eventually be broken by New Zealand's Julian Savea a week later in the final.

For Argentina, the defeat could not overshadow what had been a breakthrough tournament. The Pumas had reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2007, beating Ireland in the quarter-finals, and showcased a brand of expansive rugby that earned them admirers worldwide.

Schalk Burger played in his 20th World Cup match, moving him to third on the all-time appearances list behind only Jason Leonard (22) and Richie McCaw (21). JP Pietersen, meanwhile, scored his ninth World Cup try for the Springboks, second only to Habana in South Africa's all-time rankings.

The bronze final may lack the prestige of the showpiece, but for South Africa — a nation that takes its rugby seriously — third place was a tangible reward for a tournament of resilience, power, and pride.