Argentina stun All Blacks 29-23 in Buenos Aires, title race wide open

Argentina stunned New Zealand with a 29-23 victory in Buenos Aires on Saturday as the opening rounds of the 2025 Rugby Championship produced shock results and left the title race wide open. South Africa also recovered from an opening-round defeat to beat Australia 30-22 in Cape Town, meaning all four teams have now recorded at least one win with the tournament resuming in early September.

New Zealand had beaten Argentina 41-24 in Córdoba in round one, but Los Pumas levelled the series by claiming their first win over the All Blacks on Argentine soil in 16 attempts at Vélez. The Springboks had opened with a surprise 38-22 loss to the Wallabies at Ellis Park before responding in Cape Town. After two rounds New Zealand top the table on six points, Australia sit second on five, and South Africa and Argentina are on four apiece with the Boks placed third on points difference.

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi hailed the home victory as an energising moment ahead of an extended tour in Oceania. We closed out the year at home with a great win against the All Blacks in Vélez, which gives us a lot of energy for the challenging tour ahead, he said, adding that the side must continue to...