South Africa 40 Argentina 0 South Africa secured their first ever World Rugby Classic title with a 40-0 trouncing of the previously fiercesome Pumas.

The Argentinians, last year's victors, resembled anything but their famous nickname, the fleet-footed Springboks making them look decidedly long in the tooth at a packed Nationals on Saturday night.

Just as in their win over the Classic Lions on Thursday night, the Springboks took the lead quickly, Adri Geldenhuys driving over in the eighth minute.

Hennie Le Roux made the score 7-0 with a simple conversion.

Speed of attack had been a potent weapon for the Springboks throughout the tournament and allied to a palpable desire to win they looked irresistible when going forward.

Argentina had hardly set foot in their opponents' half when the the deficit was doubled.

The Springboks had the put-in at a scrum on the left hand side and with second and third phase ball used efficiently, Riedoh Allen was able to drive over the line for the try. Le Roux once again converted and the resultant rout was well underway.

It took the Pumas until the 20th minute before they were able to apply any pressure of their own, but the South Africans were in no mood to let them put points on the board and succeeded in driving them away from the danger zone.

Just to emphasise their first-half dominance Pieter Hendricks -- one of the players of the tournament -- took advantage of a breakdown in Pumas play to run from his own half all the way to the South American's line.

Le Roux made it three conversions out of three and the score was 21-0 at half-time.

The Pumas came out more determined in the second period and their defence succeeded in repelling a Springbok raid early on, Uli Schmidt unable to make the score even more emphatic.

But another try was only a matter of minutes away.

A fantastic piece of play saw the South Africans build slowly down the middle and then, with a lightning change of pace, pass the ball through three sets of hands along the line and out to Cabous Van der Westhuizen on the left who was able to score with ease.

Le Roux's perfect night came to an end when he missed the conversion, but it hardly mattered -- there was no way back for the holders.

Despite their superiority, the South Africans didn't let up and the score advanced to 31-0 when Rian Potgieter scored a fine individual try from just inside his own half. Le Roux converted to give the Springboks a further two points.

By this point you could feel the crowd willing the Pumas to at least get one score of their own.

But the South Africans were having none of it. As if to illustrate their "none shall pass'' gameplan, Heldgard Muller pulled off a stunning tackle just yards from his own line to prevent a Puma going over when it looked certain he would score.

The South American's audacity at even attempting a consolation was punished on the whistle as Mikaya Jack scored a simple try and Le Roux converted to make it a well-rounded 40 points to nil.

Though the Springboks have celebrated far bigger and more important triumphs in their time, there was no doubting that the win meant a great deal to them.

Captain Carel Du Plessis said: "We were confident. But we also thought Argentina had a good side, having watched them throughout the week. They played good rugby.

"We wanted to have a fun time, send the ball wide and score some tries and we did so I am happy about that.'' Du Plessis said there was no way his side, having reached the final, were going to go home empty-handed. "You don't want to get to the final and be a loser -- it's more disappointing than being knocked out in the first round.

It's great to be in the final and it's good to win it,'' he said.

Du Plessis said he was pleased the Springboks were able to put on a good show for the crowd, their exciting running drawing great applause at every game they played.

"Some games like the semi-final are really physical. But we always want to play attractive rugby, taking the ball around the park,'' he said.

Defeated Argentine prop, Serafin Dengra paid tribute to the South Africans and said he had no quibble with the scoreline.

"For me the Springboks were the number one team in Bermuda. They had the best team. It was impossible to win because their team is so strong and intelligent,'' he said.

Green for go: The South Africans go on the attack during their rout of Argentina in Saturday's Rugby Classic final before a packed crowd at National Sports Club.

Over we go: Canada's Julian Loveday goes over to seal his side's Plate victory over the Iberians on Saturday night. Report, Page 29.

Photos by David Skinner Close but no cigar: South Africa's Hennie Le Roux falls just short of the try-line in the Millennium World Rugby Classic final. The Springboks beat the defending champion Pumas 40-0.