The Springboks are holding the fate of the rugby championship title defense in their own hands as they face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.
South Africa had turned their backs against the wall after winning only one in the first three games. Two of those games were at home. However, there were big wins in New Zealand (43-10 in Wellington) and Argentina (67-30 in Durban), leaving Lassi Erasmus in the driver’s seat.
Heading towards Saturday’s action to close the tournament – Springbok will surpass his Rugby Championship standings with 15 points from five matches. All Black is second with 14, with the Wallabies running at 11 and Argentina running at 9.
Before the collision between Rospuma and the Boks, the Wallabies and the All Blacks face off at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Reports suggest that championship deciders may be bound by neutral ground as they see opportunities for UAR (Argentine Rugby Union) to maximize attendance and income from fixtures compared to hosting them in their country.
One player fans certainly want to see is South Africa’s fly half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Important details
Date: Saturday, October 4th at 3pm Cat (1pm GMT, 2pm BST)
Venue: Twickenham, London
How to watch: Matches are available on SuperSport.
Team News
Ox Nche – Durban Test’s slow injury departure – returns to Springbok’s front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas Dutote.
Erasmus heads for Twickenham on a 5-3 split, with Grant Williams, Jesse Criel and Bongim Bonambi Slot on the bench. With the exception of Scrumhalf Williams and Center Kriel, the other back is the Flyhalf Manie Libbok.
“This match is a final for us and we know how dangerous Argentina is, so we chose the perfect combination for this game,” Erasmus said.
“The changes to HR have been minimal and the majority of our team worked for us last week against Durban and other Castle Ruger Rugby Championship matches.
“Ox and Grant could have played if they really needed it, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (Van Den Berg) have done really well, but Jesse is spinning in the last two games and raring to go.
“Their experience, combined with the younger players on the team, makes this an exciting team. This is essentially what you need in a match that will be the decision maker of the Castle Ruger Rugby Championship.”
In contrast, Ross passes through Chusian. Guido Petti places Franco Molina in the second row and Lucas Paulos’ Pedro Rubiolo. Santiago Grodona has started and Joaquín Oviedo has been on the bench.
Simón Benítez Cruz is in Scrumhalf, with Gonzalo García injured. Gerónimo Priscitellli works with him and the fly half. Bautista Delguy Partners Partners Partners Juan Cruz Mallíaon the Wings, Justo Piccardo was replaced by the outside and outside of Lucio Cinti.
Springboks: Damien Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canaan Moody, Damien de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg Mangomezl, Cobbs Reinac, Jasper Wiese, Peter Steph du Toyte, Siya Kolisi, Luanne Nodge, Eben Etezebes, Thomas De, Markulm Marx,
Alternatives: Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel
Argentina: Santiago Carreras, Bautista Delguy, Jas Piccardo, Santiago Choco Bear, Juan Cruz Maria, Geronimo Priciari, Simon Benitez Cruz, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Cremer, Pablo Matara, Pedro Rubiola MataraJulian Montoya, and Meiko Vivas.
Alternatives: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Juan González, Joaquín Oviedo, Agustín Moyano, Rodrigo Isgraó.
statistics
Sacha Feinberg -Mngomezulu scored 37 points. This was the most common in Springbok in the test, with 37 points on the reverse fixture. His tally included three attempts.
The Springboks have never won consecutive Try-Nations or Rugby Championship tournaments, and this could be their first successful title defense.