Stats and Salta scoreboard paint very different picture

Cape Town - We all know there's only ONE statistic that really counts in any rugby match - the final score.

And just as well, because if one fingers through the SANZAAR stats from the Argentina v Springboks Rugby Championship clash in Salta on Saturday, one would be forgiven for thinking it was the home side who ran out narrow winners - rather than the comprehensive 46-13 mauling the Boks dished out to their hosts.

Despite making fewer passes, having to make more tackles and enjoying less than half the possession, it was a clinical Springbok side - helped in part by the Pumas' indiscipline - who ran in five tries to one to rack up a record victory - and pick up their very first Rugby Championship title.

And it's tries which win matches - and put bums on seats - so kudus to World Rugby for doing "most" things right in passing laws to favour teams willing to attack.

ON ATTACK

METRES CARRIED

Argentina - 294

South Africa - 382

CARRIES

Argentina - 131

South Africa - 113

DEFENDERS BEATEN

Argentina - 24

South Africa - 25

CLEAN BREAKS

Argentina - 11

South Africa - 18

PASSES

Argentina - 147

South Africa - 113

OFFLOADS

Argentina - 9

South Africa - 9

POSSESSION

Argentina - 55%

South Africa - 45%

ON DEFENCE

TACKLES

Argentina - 111

South Africa - 156

MISSED TACKLES

Argentina - 25

South Africa - 24

BREAKDOWN

RUCKS WON

Argentina - 101

South Africa - 80

PENALTIES CONCEDED

Argentina - 13

South Africa - 10

FINAL SCORE?

Argentina - 13

South Africa - 46