South Africa moved level on points with New Zealand at the top of the Rugby Championship standings with a 36-20 bonus-point win over Argentina on Saturday.
An ill-disciplined Argentina recovered from 16 points down at half-time to move within two of their opponents and set up a tense conclusion at Estadio Libertadores de America.
But Damian de Allende and Malcolm Marx crossed over late on to add to South Africa's three first-half tries as they made it 29 wins in their 33 Tests with Argentina.
The Springboks welcome Argentina to Durban next weekend, while New Zealand – who boast a better points difference – host Australia with their fate in their own hands.
South Africa fell behind early on to a Emiliano Boffelli penalty, but they hit back through Damian Willemse's successful kick and the opening try followed 10 minutes later.
An offside Santiago Carreras attempted to stop Jaden Hendrikse from grounding the ball and a penalty try was awarded, with the fly-half also being issued a yellow card.
Boffelli moved Argentina back within four points from the boot, but the ball was popped up to Hendrikse and he burst through under the sticks to give the Boks breathing space.
After Willemse added the extras, the visitors pushed on and had a third try through Marx, who crashed over following a sustained spell of pressure.
Argentina's hopes of recovering were further dented when referee James Doleman sin-binned Gonzalo Bertranou after losing patience for a series of infringements.
South Africa could not entirely put the game out of reach and were themselves down to 14 after Willie Le Roux, having already been warned, strayed offside.
Tomas Cubelli appeared to spill the ball when charging through and attempting to touch down, but it was deemed Kwagga Smith illegally intervened and a penalty try was given.
Smith was also yellow carded for that offence, yet it was the Boks who finished strongest as De Allende and Marx added two more tries to seal what seemed an unlikely bonus point.
Seattle Sounders v San Jose Earthquakes: Hosts chasing post-season berth at Lumen Field
Seattle Sounders will hope to make the most of their home advantage when they host San Jose Earthquakes, as Brian Schmetzer's side aim to further their MLS playoffs bid.
The Sounders are fifth in the Western Conference standings after their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City last time out.
Schmetzer's men are nine points adrift of West leaders LA Galaxy heading into this clash at Lumen Field, where the Sounders hope to improve further in their post-season chase.
"[We have] to keep the momentum going, but one game at a time," said centre-back Jackson Ragen. "Keep winning, and then keep that going in the playoffs.
"This is the home stretch, and every game is huge, because it's going to come down to our position in the playoffs."
Midfielder Paul Rothrock echoed a similar sentiment, adding: "We have threats from a lot of different areas, and that's what's brought success this season.
"I think having a lot of weapons going into the postseason is going to be crucial and also having a locker room full of guys that are pushing together."
San Jose have endured a tough season to date, sitting bottom of the Sounders' division, but the visitors did defeat Seattle 3-2 in the reverse meeting this campaign.
They are the only team out of playoff contention already, owing to a woeful term, with Ian Russell's men only winning five games all season.
Russell will be desperate the tide turns on the road in Seattle on Thursday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz
The Earthquakes must be wary of Raul Ruidiaz, given he has scored nine career regular-season goals against San Jose, having only managed more against the Timbers (10).
Only three players (Jeff Cunningham and Preki – 11, Paul Bravo – 10) have scored more goals against the Earthquakes in MLS history, with Ruidiaz dangerously close to reaching those heights here.
San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza
Seattle may be quaking in their booths thinking of San Jose's Cristian Espinoza, who has been involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in five matches against the Sounders since the start of the 2022 season.
The only player to record more goal contributions against a single opponent in that time is Espinoza himself against Los Angeles FC (nine), and the Earthquakes star will fancy carrying that run on here.
MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders are the overriding favourites for this clash, given their strong recent head-to-head record and San Jose's drab form.
Seattle have won six of their last seven regular season home matches (L1), including the aforementioned win over SKC on Sunday.
The Sounders had managed just four wins in their previous 19 home league matches (D10 L5) dating back to May 2023, but have since turned a corner – and things may continue to improve here.
San Jose's defeat at Vancouver on Saturday was their 21st loss in 28 matches in the 2024 regular season. Another reverse would equal the second-most losses in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000) as only D.C. United (24 losses) in 2013 lost more than 22 times in a season.
Yet not all visiting hope is lost, considering San Jose have won three straight matches against Seattle for the second time (also in 2012—13). Overall, The Earthquakes are unbeaten in four straight visits to Seattle in all competitions (W2 D2).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders win – 68.5%
Draw – 17.5%
San Jose Earthquakes win – 14%
Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid: Vinicius, Mbappe penalties close gap on Barca
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe both scored penalties as Real Madrid saw off Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Reale Arena.
Carlo Ancelotti's side moved to within a point of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who visit fifth-place Girona on Sunday.
Already without the likes of Jude Bellingham, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Madrid suffered another injury blow in the 24th minute when Brahim Diaz was forced off with a muscular issue.
After a goalless first half, the visitors broke through 13 minutes after the restart with Vinicius slotting home from 12 yards after Sergio Gomez handled Arda Guler's shot.
Vinicus was then felled for Madrid's second penalty, which was awarded following a VAR review, with Mbappe making no mistake in sealing all three points.
Data Debrief: Madrid extend unbeaten streak
Extending their unbeaten LaLiga streak to 37 matches, Madrid have now won four successive away league games against Basque opposition for the first time since a run of four such victories between 2011 and 2013.
By contrast, Sociedad have now suffered four straight home defeats in the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2007.
Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Late Nkunku strike snatches victory for Blues
Christopher Nkunku proved Chelsea's hero as his late strike secured a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The forward climbed off the bench to strike the winner five minutes from time at the Vitality Stadium, where Robert Sanchez kept out Evanilson's first-half penalty.
Bournemouth looked the more likely to take all three points in the contest, with Marcus Tavernier's long-range thunderbolt rattling the crossbar early on.
Sanchez then came to rescue on 38 minutes by denying Evanilson from 12 yards, albeit after he had conceded the spot-kick for a foul on the Brazilian.
The woodwork denied the Cherries again after the break, with Ryan Christie seeing his precise low effort hit the outside of Sanchez's right post.
However, it was Chelsea who snatched the points with five minutes remaining. Receiving the ball from Jadon Sancho, Nkunku cleverly skipped away from a couple of challenges before slotting past Mark Travers in the Bournemouth net.
Data Debrief: More happy travels for super sub Nkunku
Nkunku's piece of individual brilliance settled the contest. All four of his Premier League goals for Chelsea have come away from home as a substitute.
The Blues held out at the other end to claim their first away league clean sheet in 18 attempts, while winning four straight matches on the road for the first time since 2022.
Meanwhile, history was made at the Vitality Stadium with the referee showing a total of 14 yellow cards; the highest amount issued in a single Premier League game.
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