Springbok team to face Argentina at Mbombela Stadium announced

Eben Etzebeth will set the record as the most capped Springbok of all time when he runs out at lock against Argentina, while Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok are paired as starting halfbacks for the first time, in the title-deciding match of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, September 28.

The team was announced at a press conference at the Southern Sun Emnotweni in Mbombela this afternoon, Tuesday, September 24.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made nine changes and one positional switch to the starting line-up from last week’s encounter, recalling six double Rugby World Cup winners to the starting XV in Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flanker), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Damian de Allende (centre), and Siya Kolisi (flanker) who resumes as captain after watching from the coaches’ box in Argentina.

The most capped centre pairing in Springbok history, De Allende and Jesse Kriel, are reunited, with a back three of Aphelele Fassi (fullback) and wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Kolbe.

On the bench, Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf), Handré Pollard (flyhalf) and Lukhanyo Am (centre) make up a formidably experienced trio, who will provide the necessary impact in the backline.

The Springboks need only one log point from the match to guarantee their first Castle Lager Rugby Championship title since the abbreviated version in 2019, and their first full tournament title since 2009, while they will also clinch the title if Argentina win the match without a bonus point based on competition points.

The only permutation that would see Argentina snatch the title from the Boks is if Los Pumas win with a bonus point and deny the hosts a point, which would see them claim the title based on the fact that they would have had two wins over South Africa.

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Erasmus has full confidence in Libbok despite his missing a potential match and championship winning penalty goal against Argentina on Saturday.

“The best way get Manie through this is for him to get back on the horse. He is a professional. We have made some other plans with the goal kicking as well, which we hope will work,” said Erasmus.

Erasmus understands that Los Pumas are certainly in with a chance of claiming the Rugby Championship title.

“The odds are against Argentina, but that’s when a team can make anything possible. We sent a much-changed side to Argentina hoping to win. We did not, but we did get a bonus point. We also have six fresh players who did not play on Saturday. Despite this, by all means, we do think Argentina believe they can do it. They are really passionate and they believe in the way they are playing.”

Bongi Mbonambi knows the Boks are up for the challenge.

“This game is vital. We had a meeting yesterday and made plans. We know the standards we want to achieve in the game. As for Manie – this is a challenge to prove himself and everyone else that he is a fly half of international standard,” he said.

Mbonambi had only praise for Etzebeth.

“The Springbok environment is a place he loves being. He has given so much to the sport and to see him reach this milestone in his career is amazing.”

Erasmus also lauded Etzebeth for his impressive career 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, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him.

The Springboks are looking forward to playing in front their fans at home on Saturday. “When playing in front of our home supporters in our country, we want to play our hearts out, with pride. People sacrifice time and money to watch the Boks; it’s so important to this team, so much so that sometimes we do get emotional [about the support], said Mbonambi.

“We felt a bit dejected while flying to Mbombela. After a 12-hour flight, we landed. I don’t know how many people were at the airport, but the lift that they gave us, and the lift we gave them, made a helluva difference to us,” added Erasmus.

Springbok team to face Argentina:
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 8 caps, 20 points (4t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 37 caps, 96 pts (15t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 76 caps, 85 pts (17t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 84 caps, 55 pts (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 85 pts (17t)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 17 caps, 94 pts (1t, 28c, 11p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 17 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 30 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 83 caps, 45 pts (9t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 88 caps, 60 pts (12t)
5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 0 pts
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 127 caps, 30 pts (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 75 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 74 caps, 75 pts (15t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 36 caps, 0 pts

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 72 caps, 100 pts (20t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 57 caps, 0 pts
19 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps, 0 pts
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 48 caps, 45 pts (9t)
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 36 caps, 70 pts (14t)
22 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 76 caps, 749 pts (7t, 102c, 165p, 5dg)
23 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 35 pts (7t)