New Super Rugby Americas champions crowned in Argentina

There’s a new champion in the Super Rugby Americas, South America’s franchise competition, with Pampas defeating Dogos XV 26–17 to secure their first-ever title in a final held at Córdoba Athletic Club Stadium.

Pampas and Dogos XV reached the final after overcoming Capibaras and Tarucas, respectively, in a season in which only Argentine franchises qualified for the knockouts.

The Dogos XV seemed to have a slight advantage going into the match, having defeated their rivals Pampas twice this season (43–28 and 36–34).

Another factor in Dogos XV’s favour was their previous title win in 2024, whereas Pampas had yet to achieve that success since the competition’s launch in 2021.

From the opening whistle, Pampas were first to get on the board, thanks to a penalty from fly-half Estanislao Renthal.

The home side had to wait until the 19th minute to get their first points, following a try from winger Agustín de Vertiz, who evaded a couple of tacklers before grounding the ball in the corner. Nicolás Farías added the extras.

However, this would be the final time the home side led, as Pampas regained the lead ten minutes later and controlled proceedings until the final whistle.

The Buenos Aires-based franchise added two more tries before the break, with centre Agustín Fraga and full-back Tobias Wade crossing – Renthal missed both conversions.

Dogos XV’s indiscipline proved costly, as it not only disrupted a few key attacking opportunities but also saw Nicolás Farías sent to the sin bin just six minutes into the second half.

Pampas managed only three more points in that 10-minute spell, with the hosts adding three of their own when Farías returned.

The score remained unchanged until the 66th minute, when winger Jerónimo Ulloa gathered a crosskick from Bautista Farise to score Pampas’ third try. Farise added the conversion, as well as another penalty, to extend the lead to 16 points with five minutes remaining.

Dogos XV had little chance of mounting a comeback, and although full-back Mateo Soler managed to break through the defence to score a try, it was not enough to prevent Pampas securing the title.

Two years after the appointment of former Pumas great Juan Manuel Leguizamón as head coach, Pampas had finally managed to pull through and taste success.

This marked the third title claimed by an Argentine franchise, following Jaguares XV’s triumph in the inaugural 2021 season and Dogos XV’s win in 2024.