By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Mannie Libbok and Jaden Hendrikse have been paired for the first time as the starting Bok halfbacks in the title-decider.
The world champions need only a point from the match to guarantee their first Rugby Championship title since 2019, and their first full tournament title since 2009. They will also clinch the title if Los Pumas win the match without a bonus point based on competition points.
Libbok came under criticism after missing a last-minute penalty which would have given South Africa the lead going into the final play of last week’s defeat to the Argentinians in Santiago.
Eben Etzebeth is also named to start and set to become the most-capped Bok of all time.
In total, Erasmus made nine changes and one positional switch to the staring from last weekend’s side.
Flanker Siya Kolisi will resume as captain after watching from the coaches box in Argentina last week as he is one of six double Rugby World Cup winners to the starting XV.
The changes meant that Erasmus named the same starting pack that defeated New Zealand 18-12 in Cape Town and the same five forward replacements, while reverting to a five-three split in favour of the forwards on the bench.
“We planned to recall the players we rested last week because it allowed us to ensure that we have a group of core players who remained in the South African time zone and who would slot back into the team with ease,” said Erasmus.
They will not only bring fresh legs and vast experience to the team, it also allows us to select a settled team that played most of the matches in the Castle Lager incoming series.
“The match-23 also includes 19 Rugby World Cup winners, which will bode well for the team, while the other players selected have performed under immense pressure in the competition this season and they all deserve their places in the squad.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge against an Argentinean team that has something special brewing in their set-up and who will give everything to win their first title in the competition, and we selected this team with that in mind.”
Erasmus also reserved special praise for Etzebeth ahead of his milestone.
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever, “he said.
“We are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him.
“If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual, and we’ll give everything to make this a special day for him.”
Springboks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.