The Argentine rugby sevens team, known as the Pumas 7s, returned to the podium in Cape Town by securing the silver medal, losing 21-19 to South Africa in the tournament final. The team, led by Santiago Gomez Cora, closed out 2025 with another decisive match, a week after their performance in Dubai, and confirmed positive signals during a rebuilding process. At the tournament held on South African soil, the Pumas 7s showed marked progress in the integration of young players and their synergy with more experienced veterans. The team's potential was reflected in its collective performance and the individual impact of Luciano González, who was the tournament's top scorer with eight tries. In the semi-finals, the Argentine team got its revenge against Fiji, which had defeated them a week earlier in Dubai. Two tries from the islanders in the last minute made the final score closer. With a 29-21 victory, Argentina secured its place in the final. Fiji managed to score through Viwa Naduvalo, but Mare extended the lead again. The Cape Town final once again pitted Argentina against South Africa, as had happened in Dubai, although this time the home side had the advantage of playing at home. In the first half, Argentina struck first with a play from González, but the South Africans quickly equalized. For the Argentine team, the tries were scored by Moneta (two) and González, with two conversions by Vera Feld. Despite Argentina's advantage, South Africa responded with two converted tries that allowed them to turn the score around and take the gold at home. The 'Albiceleste' went back in front after another play by González and a finish from Marcos Moneta, closing the first half 14-7 in their favor. At the start of the second half, Moneta scored his second try of the match after a run that left the home defense behind. This time, the development was different from the start. The Argentine team asserted its dominance with a high-level first half, in which they did not concede space and capitalized on their opportunities with tries from Santiago Mare (two tries) and Santiago Álvarez (two tries), plus a conversion from Santiago Vera Feld, to go into halftime 17-0 up. The only moment of tension came with a yellow card to González for a deliberate knock-on, although the Argentine defense responded with solidity even while a player down. In the second half, González extended the lead shortly after returning to the field. After this runners-up finish, the Argentine team will enter a rest period before resuming training at the beginning of 2026, with the aim of preparing for the upcoming double tour, which will have Singapore (January 31 and February 1) and Perth (February 7 and 8) as destinations.
