Rugby Championship permutations: Springboks need massive favour from Wallabies to win title

New Zealand's 35-20 win over South Africa in Auckland last weekend left them in the pound seats to win this year's truncated Rugby Championship.

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The annual southern hemisphere showpiece is shortened due to it being a World Cup year, with teams playing each other only once.

New Zealand, who beat Argentina 41-12 in Mendoza in their opening game, will clinch the title with a victory over Australia in Melbourne on 29 July.

The All Blacks are on 9 log points and boast a healthy +44 points difference. It's worth noting that they did not earn a bonus point against the Springboks despite scoring four tries. Tournament regulations stipulate that teams can only earn try-scoring bonus points if they score three more tries than the opposition.

The Springboks, with a +16 points difference, are second on the standings with 5 log points courtesy of a 43-12 bonus point win over the Wallabies in Pretoria in Round 1.

Los Pumas are third on 4 log points after a last-gasp 34-31 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend.

position, played, won, draw, loss, +-, pts

1. New Zealand 2;2;0;0;44;9

2. South Africa 2;1;0;1;16;5

3. Argentina 2;1;0;1;-26;4

4. Australia 2;0;0;2;-34;1

For the Springboks to win the Rugby Championship, they must hope the All Blacks lose to the Wallabies. A win and a draw will seal the title for New Zealand.

Even a losing bonus point would be enough for the Kiwis to be crowned champions, as their win over South Africa would see them finish top. A losing bonus point would take New Zealand to 10 points. The Boks can also get to 10 points with a bonus point win over Argentina in Johannesburg, but their loss in Auckland would