South Africa kept their hopes of retaining the Rugby Championship title alive after beating New Zealand 43-10 to clinch the Freedom Cup.

The All Blacks suffered their heaviest defeat of all time after failing to hold onto their early lead in Wellington.

Leroy Carter crossed in the 18th minute to put New Zealand in front, and though Cheslin Kolbe got the first of his two tries shortly after, the hosts still took a 10-7 lead into half-time.

However, Kolbe got his second try shortly after the break, and the momentum was firmly with South Africa after that.

Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and Andre Esterhuizen all scored in the final 20 minutes to complete a stunning turnaround, while Manie Libbok added 13 points from the boot.

The win lifted South Africa above New Zealand in the table, but they are still one point off leaders Australia, despite the Wallabies being stunned by Argentina in the earlier game.

A second half masterclass from the Boks as they retain the Freedom Cup with a record breaking victory in Wellington #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/n2Gyr6FY0N

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 13, 2025

Argentina had to hold on against a late Australia onslaught but earned their second win of the Rugby Championship with a narrow 28-26 victory.

The Pumas capitalised on Australia's poor discipline, with Santiago Carreras kicking seven penalties and a conversion to add 23 points to their total.

Julian Montoya, playing his 50th Test as Argentina's captain, scored their lone try in the eighth minute, cancelling out Joseph Sua'ali'i's early effort.

Andrew Kellaway started the comeback before Filipo Daugunu crossed twice late on for Australia, but it was too little too late as they failed to snatch a second consecutive late victory against the Pumas.

All four teams have won two and lost two of their first four matches at the Rugby Championship, leaving the competition finely poised heading into the final two matchdays.

Data Debrief: All Blacks' Wellington struggles return

New Zealand had won their last two Tests in Wellington, following a run of five without a win in the city (D2 L3), and they have now lost their last five games there when conceding more than 20 points.

South Africa, meanwhile, are now unbeaten in their last three matches against the All Blacks in Wellington (W2 D1). It was their first away win against them since September 2018.

Meanwhile, Argentina snapped a three-game losing streak on the road with their victory over Australia, who failed to win two matches against the Pumas in a single calendar year for the first time since 2021.