Malcolm Marx powers Boks to emotional Rugby Championship triumph

Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx was at a loss for words when asked to describe what the back-to-back Rugby Championship titles means to the side.

The double World Cup winner was at the centre of the Boks’ devastating scrum and commanding lineouts that provided the platform for the 29-27 victory. He also scored two crucial tries, one in the corner right after halftime, that brought South Africa back into the game.

The score in the corner, off the back of a strong rolling, gave the world champions the lead for the first time in the game after trailing in the first forty.

“It still feels surreal. I don’t know how to quite express my feelings,” Marx said after the win.

“I am extremely grateful for everything that has happened over the last couple of weeks. The lessons that we learned and the victories. What we achieved will probably sink in over the next few days. However, still a lot of hard work lies ahead to improve ourselves.”

The Boks should’ve closed the game after going up 29-13 close to the 60th minute, but errors allowed the fighting Argentinians to finish with a flurry. They scored two tries in that time to bring the score closer to what it should’ve been. But the South Africans did enough to build up a healthy lead to withstand the fightback.

According to Marx, they expected Los Pumas to come back with a fiery response after last weekend’s 67-30 drubbing in Durban.

“The focus was on us and to give the best performance we could. There were errors and areas we could’ve been better at. However, we will take the victory. It is very humbling, and we are grateful for the support.

“We expected them to come back like this; they are a proud nation and a great rugby side. It was tough as you can see how close the scoreline was. Last year they beat us, and we had to get back to South Africa to clinch the title. To beat them twice in a row (this year) is very special.

“There were highs and lows in this tournament, but we will take this victory.”