Pampas snatch first-ever Super Rugby Americas title by defeating defending champions Dogos XV

Pampas ended their wait for a first Super Rugby Americas title on Saturday, defeating defending champions Dogos XV 26–17 in the final at Córdoba Athletic Club Stadium in Argentina.

The result was a notable upset on paper. Dogos XV had beaten Pampas twice during the regular season — 43–28 and 36–34 — and arrived at the final as the only team in the competition with a title to their name, having won the 2024 edition.

Pampas, however, were first on the scoreboard through a fly-half Estanislao Renthal penalty and never relinquished the lead after Dogos XV’s winger Agustín de Vertiz briefly put the hosts in front in the 19th minute. Centre Agustín Fraga and full-back Tobias Wade both crossed before half-time to give the Buenos Aires-based franchise a commanding advantage, with Renthal missing both conversions.

Dogos XV’s discipline proved a significant problem in the second half. Their indiscipline disrupted several attacking moves and resulted in Nicolás Farías being sent to the sin bin just six minutes after the restart. Pampas capitalised with three points during the 10-minute spell, though the hosts responded in kind when Farías returned.

The contest was effectively settled in the 66th minute when winger Jerónimo Ulloa gathered a crosskick from Bautista Farise to score Pampas’ third try. Farise added the conversion and a subsequent penalty to stretch the lead to 16 points with five minutes remaining. A late try from Dogos XV full-back Mateo Soler came too late to threaten a comeback.

The victory is a significant milestone for Pampas under head coach Juan Manuel Leguizamón, the former Pumas flanker appointed two years ago. It marks the third title won by an Argentine franchise in the competition’s history, following Jaguares XV’s triumph in the inaugural 2021 season and Dogos XV’s success in 2024.