In a thrilling display of grit and skill, England secured a dramatic 22-17 victory over Argentina in the second Test held in San Juan on July 12, 2025. The win not only sealed the series for England but also marked their fourth consecutive triumph over Los Pumas, dating back to the 2023 World Cup. This victory, achieved in the shadow of the Andes, echoed a famous moment from 2017 when Denny Solomona scored a late try at the same stadium — this time, it was Jack van Poortvliet who clinched the match-winning try at the death.
Under the stewardship of head coach Steve Borthwick, England arrived in Argentina without 13 players due to British & Irish Lions call-ups, including veteran hooker Jamie George, who was summoned to the Lions squad just hours before kickoff. This forced Borthwick into minimal but critical changes, notably bringing in debutant Luke Northmore at outside centre for the injured Henry Slade and Theo Dan stepping in for George. Despite these challenges, England’s squad showed remarkable resilience and cohesion.
The match began with England asserting dominance early on. George Ford, England’s co-captain, orchestrated the backline with precision, delivering a cross-field kick to Tom Roebuck, whose aerial prowess was on full display. Roebuck’s perfect catch and subsequent offload set up Luke Northmore, who in his Test debut demonstrated his power and pace by laying off to Seb Atkinson for his first international try. Ford’s conversion put England ahead 7-0.
Argentina responded through Santiago Carreras’ penalty, but England’s defense and attack kept the pressure high. The Pumas’ Lucio Cinti capitalized on a loose ball, scoring a try after a clever break by scrum-half Simón Benítez Cruz, giving Argentina a brief lead. Yet England quickly regained control with a try from full-back Freddie Steward, who scored his second try in two matches following some elegant interplay from the visiting backs, nudging England back into the lead at 14-10.
However, the first half ended on a sour note for England when Ignacio Mendy scored for Argentina just before the interval, capitalizing on a chip kick from Carreras that ricocheted off the post. The scoreline stood at 17-14 to Argentina at halftime, reflecting a fiercely contested battle.
The second half saw England’s forwards, led by the likes of Joe Heyes and Charlie Ewels, impose themselves with relentless defense and powerful mauls. Heyes, in particular, was a standout, recording a match-high 14 tackles before being substituted. Despite England’s dominance in territory and possession, they struggled to convert pressure into points, with several close calls thwarted by handling errors and tight defense.
The match’s intensity was further heightened by disciplinary issues. England’s Ben Curry received a yellow card at 20 minutes for a shoulder charge on Pablo Matera, Argentina’s captain and most-capped player with 111 appearances. Matera himself was sin-binned later in the match for a cynical maul offense. These periods of numerical disadvantage tested both teams’ resolve, but England’s tactical kicking and defensive organization, especially under Ford’s guidance, kept them competitive.
One of the pivotal moments came when Guy Pepper, introduced as a substitute for Sam Underhill at 57 minutes, showcased his breakdown expertise. Pepper’s clean break from a turnover and his incisive offload to Jack van Poortvliet ignited England’s final assault. Van Poortvliet, who had earlier come on for Ben Spencer, ran a superb supporting line to finish in the corner, scoring the match-winning try around the 71st minute. Although Ford missed the difficult touchline conversion, England held on to their slender lead.
Throughout the match, England’s backs, including Will Muir and Cadan Murley, combined speed and strength to stretch the Pumas’ defense, while the forwards maintained a ferocious work rate. Luke Northmore’s debut was particularly impressive, earning a 7.5 rating for his all-around performance, including his assist for Atkinson’s try. Atkinson himself was rated 8 for his composed and effective play, both offensively and defensively.
Despite some lineout issues, particularly with Theo Dan’s accuracy, England’s scrum remained a formidable force, dominating the set-piece and providing a solid platform for the backs. Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes were instrumental in this regard, with Baxter contributing a high tackle count and Heyes exerting relentless pressure on the Pumas.
Post-match, England captain George Ford praised his team’s resilience and togetherness, stating, “We found a way in the end. We had a lot of opportunities in the 22 but couldn’t get over the line, I’m proud of the boys. I like our fight, our togetherness, showing how much we care.” His words encapsulated the spirit of a side that, despite injuries and absences, continues to build momentum under Borthwick’s leadership.
Argentina captain Julian Montoya reflected on the loss with honesty, acknowledging the challenges his team faced. “We were not good enough. We need to be honest with ourselves. Thank you to our supporters. Congrats to our debutants and Pablo Matera; I am sorry we could not give them the win. We gave away too many penalties and they were clinical,” Montoya said, highlighting the fine margins that decided the match.
Looking ahead, England will take confidence from this series win as they prepare to face the United States next week. The team’s ability to integrate new players seamlessly and maintain a high level of performance bodes well for their upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, the Pumas will seek to regroup and address the discipline and execution issues that hampered their efforts in San Juan.
In sum, England’s 22-17 victory in San Juan was a testament to their depth, determination, and tactical acumen. Jack van Poortvliet’s late try not only sealed the series but also symbolized a team growing in confidence and cohesion. With seven consecutive wins under Borthwick, England’s rugby machine is undeniably moving in the right direction.
