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Springbok Stars Dominate World Rugby Awards Nominations

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By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa’s rugby powerhouse flexed its muscles again this week as four Springboks crashed through the global recognition line like flankers hitting a ruck at full tilt.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and rising star Ethan Hooker were all shortlisted for major honours at the 2026 World Rugby Awards announced on Tuesday.

Du Toit, already etched in history as the first South African to win the World Men’s 15s Player of the Year twice, is once more in the running for the sport’s highest individual accolade. He is joined by teammates Marx and Nche as well as France’s electric winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Marx earns his second career nomination after also being recognised in 2018.

Hooker, meanwhile, finds himself in the global limelight as one of four nominees for World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, lining up alongside New Zealand’s Fabian Holland, England’s Henry Pollock and Australia’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised the quartet’s impact, saying:

“I’d like to congratulate Pieter-Steph, Malcolm, Ox and Ethan for being recognised among the best players in the world.”

He added: “To have three of the four nominees for Men’s 15s Player of the Year from South Africa, as well as Ethan in the Breakthrough category, is a testament to the quality of our players on the global stage.”

Alexander said the recognition reflected the green-and-gold’s consistency and class:
“They have all performed exceptionally well this season and deserve this recognition. On behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country, I want to express how proud we are of them.”

He concluded with a message of encouragement ahead of the final announcement:

“We wish them well ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated is already a remarkable achievement.”

Only Schalk Burger (2004), Bryan Habana (2007) and Du Toit himself have previously lifted the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year crown. Other South Africans nominated over the past decade include Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk and Lukhanyo Am.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, 22 November, with World Rugby’s Dream Team of the Year set to follow on Tuesday, 25 November.

Springbok Front-Row Boost for Tour Finale

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springboks have bolstered their touring front row with the arrival of seasoned hooker Bongi Mbonambi and powerful prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, who will link up with the squad in Ireland on Sunday as Rassie Erasmus sharpens his blades for the final two Tests of the Outgoing Tour.

Mbonambi, a trusted warhorse from the Rugby Championship trenches, was on Erasmus’ standby list, while Mchunu last donned the green and gold against Portugal in Bloemfontein, but both now thunder back into the Bok scrum as reinforcements ahead of battles with Ireland and Wales.

“This is a longer tour than usual, and we have two big matches lined up against Ireland and Wales, which prompted the decision to call up Bongi and Ntuthuko,” said Erasmus.

“Both players have done the job for us on the international stage, so we are excited to have them in the group.

“Several players will not be eligible for selection for the final Test on tour against Wales, as the match falls outside of the international window, so it makes sense to call up the players now to get back into the swing of things with us at training this week, while at the same time increasing the depth we have within the squad for our next challenge against Ireland.”

The Springboks will shift camp from Italy to Dublin on Sunday, where preparations begin in earnest on Monday. With reinforcements ready and the tour’s heaviest collisions still to come, the Bok machine is tightening its bolts for an Irish onslaught that promises to be as unforgiving as winter steel.

Source: SA Rugby

Two Weeks, Two Reds, One Relentless Springbok Spirit

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By Adnaan Mohamed

For the second week in a row, the Springboks walked into a northern-hemisphere storm and refused to be blown over.

Another early red card, another No 5 lock gone, yet the world champions simply bent, adjusted and found a new way to win, beating Italy 32–14 in Turin with the kind of grit that can only be forged in chaos.

Franco Mostert’s 12th-minute red card echoed Lood de Jager’s fate against France a week earlier. Same number on the jersey. Same sinking moment. Same response: the Boks shifted shape like a scrum rearranging itself in a gale, and played as though the missing man had simply been absorbed into their collective heartbeat.

Captain Siya Kolisi said the team has learned to solve problems while sprinting.

“We went through it last weekend, and this week we went through the same thing. So, we make plans in the game as we go along because such things happen,” he said.

“The biggest thing that we were asked this week is to show our ‘Africanness’ and that’s about making plans because there are always stumbles… They (the coaches) are always prepared for any scenario, and even the guys who are not playing sit and make plans and decisions.”

Kolisi admitted the emotional sting was real:

“It doesn’t make it easy for us… seeing a guy like Franco sitting there, we could see the hurt in his eyes. But I really love the way this team is able to stand up and fight.”

Rassie Erasmus, visibly exasperated, didn’t hide his frustration.

“It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference,” he said. “It’s sad that our captain had to make that sacrifice twice in a week.”

The Bok coach questioned how much lower a two-metre lock can physically tackle.

“Losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go… it’s tough to understand,” Erasmus said. “We don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially when someone is on his knees.”

Yet amid the frustration, he applauded his team’s ability to morph on demand.

“Yes, we have a way to adapt,” he said. “That certainly makes us tighter as a team… I’m happy with the result, but still sad for the players who have to take the brunt for something that happened by accident.”

Three wins from three, two red cards navigated, and a squad that keeps inventing new ways to survive the storm. The Boks now head to Ireland, hardened once more by fire and fallout.

Featured Photo: Andre Esterhuizen/ https://x.com/springboks

Source: SA Rugby

Springboks Brace for Brutal Torino Clash With Resurgent Italy

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Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has warned that Italy are no side to stroll past, likening Saturday’s showdown in Torino to a scrum where one wrong step can send you skidding backwards.

The Boks face the Azzurri at Allianz Stadium at 14:40 (SA time), live on SuperSport. And Stick made it clear the visitors aren’t treating this as a gentle warm-up jog.

“It’s a tough week because we are facing a team that comes off a good game against Australia,” said Stick.

“A few other players are getting an opportunity to play, and that motivates us immensely.”

Stick said the squad’s hunger runs deeper than selection rotation:

“The players have been working very hard and waiting for their opportunity, such as Handré (Pollard) and Canan (Moodie), among others.

“For us, whoever gets a chance to represent the country, it’s not just about playing for yourself, but close to 60 million South Africans at home. This Test is a massive game for us.”

He also brushed aside whispers that the matchday group lacked bite.

“There’s no such thing as a trial match when it comes to the Springboks,” Stick insisted.

“We need to respect the players who are receiving an opportunity to play. We all know Italy are in a good space as a team, and improving week in and week out.

“In Pretoria, they posed big challenges in the second half, so they are a side you can never underestimate. That said, we’ll be prepared, and the players are excited and looking forward to the match.”

Kolisi: Breakdown will be the battleground

Captain Siya Kolisi who is set to notch his 101st Test cap, expects the breakdown to be the heart of the contest, the place “where matches are won and lost like turnovers at a street fight.”

“It’s been one of the big areas we looked at this week, just as we did when we played against them in South Africa,” said Kolisi.

“We struggled in the first match against them back home, and that was one of the main reasons we had to work so hard to win that match.

“We know how good they are there, so we’ve worked hard this week to ensure we look after the ball properly. The pack will be important this weekend. We know what we have to do, and we have to make sure we are up for it.”

Kolisi dismissed concerns about cohesion within the fresh-faced forward unit:

“We’ve done the work on the field during the week, and that’s where we get to know one another. The coaches have been crucial in that regard. The senior guys obviously need to lead by example, but we feel good as a group in general.”

Van Staden’s hooker switch “a long-term project”

With Marco van Staden named as the reserve hooker, Stick revealed this is no spur-of-the-moment gamble.

“It was always the plan for him to be a backup hooker in the squad,” said Stick.

“At the 2023 World Cup, he was always training and working on extra skills in that position to ensure he was ready when the opportunity arose. So, it’s a project we’ve been working on for the last few years.

“He’s a tough guy who always plays with his heart on his sleeve, and he’s a breakdown specialist, which will be valuable against a side like Italy. It’s great that we can move him to hooker later in the game.”

Italian backline “will punish you” if given space

Stick also flagged Italy’s dangerous midfield and backline, a unit he describes as sharp enough to slice through any defensive line that drifts for even a moment.

“If you look at the Italian centres, they are probably one of the best centre partnerships in the country at the moment, and they have great players all around at the back,” he said. “They are also playing really well, so it’s going to be a tough game with ball in hand.

“If you give the Italian players time and space, their backline players will punish you.”

Teams:

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Ross Vintcent, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 13.40 (14.40 SAST; 12.40 GMT)
Expected weather: There will be some drizzle and light winds with a temperature around 14°C
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

SOURCE: SA RUGBY

‘You’re my friend and my idol’: Jürgen Klopp hails Siya Kolisi on 100-Test milestone

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has sent a heartfelt message to Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, congratulating him on reaching an incredible milestone of 100 Test matches for South Africa.

Despite having to play with 14 men for the entire second half after lock forward Lood de Jager was controversially red-carded, Kolisi’s Bok side produced an inspiring performance to earn a crushing 32-17 win over France .

In a special video message shared on his Instagram account, Klopp spoke with deep admiration about Kolisi’s journey from humble beginnings in Zwide to becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

“Siya, my friend, another milestone in one of the most incredible sports careers I’ve ever heard of,” Klopp said.
“The things I love in life the most are stories about people who made their way. Obviously, the most inspiring stories are the stories where the start was at a time when nobody could even imagine that a positive future was possible, and I think that’s your story.”

Kolisi, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and again in 2023, became only the seventh South African to play 100 Tests for his country when he captained the Boks against New Zealand earlier this year.

A lifelong Liverpool fan, Kolisi has often spoken of his admiration for Klopp — and the German coach clearly feels the same.

“Calling you my friend is one of the biggest honours I can imagine,” Klopp added.
“Having an idol in a sport I don’t understand at all is pretty special as well.

“Congratulations. One hundred, isn’t it crazy? And the best is still to come. Much love from Germany. See you.”

Klopp’s message struck a chord with South Africans and Liverpool fans alike, as two of sport’s most respected leaders shared a moment of mutual respect, proof that inspiration knows no boundaries.

Rassie’s Secret Weapon: The Clip That Lit the Fire in the Bok Camp

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By Adnaan Mohamed

This week, in the quiet hum of Springbok camp before the thunder of the tackling France at the Stade de France in Paris, Rassie Erasmus pressed play on a short video, and silence fell.

The clip came from Hamediehs Rugby Football Club (RFC), a 130-year-old Cape Flats institution that’s been a lifeline for generations of kids dodging the dangers of the streets. In it, a 13-year-old boy battles the daily storms of township life, poverty, violence, temptation, until he finds his refuge on the rugby field.

It’s not just a club. It’s an ark in a flood.

Featuring former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who mentors at Hamediehs, the video’s message “Rugby Saved Us” struck a chord deep within the Boks.

Erasmus, marking his 50th Test in charge, knew the story would speak louder than any team talk. When he showed it, the room grew still. Every player saw a reflection of their own journey.

“Salaam! (Peace), yes, that video is special for so many reasons,” said Siya Kolisi, preparing for his 100th Test as captain.

“In that clip we saw what club rugby does for kids in the community.”

Then his voice slowed, his words carrying the weight of lived truth.

“Rugby is more than just a sport to us. People say that, but for us, it saved us. It kept us from so many things we were never supposed to be exposed to as children.”

Kolisi knows the boy’s pain because he once was that boy, the kid from Zwide who found light in a muddy field, who rose from hunger to hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and again in 2023.

“To see that clip and know kids are still going through that, it hits deep,” he said.

“I’ve been given a platform, and it’s our duty to make sure we create a better tomorrow for those kids — to make it safer, to give them choices. That’s what rugby has done for me.”

For Kolisi, this 100th cap isn’t about records or medals. It’s about meaning.

“It’s not just about the trophies,” he said. “The trophies give us a platform to give back. This game isn’t about me, it’s for those kids at Hamediehs, for every boy and girl whose lives are changed by rugby.”

Erasmus, ever the innovator, often reminds his team that victory isn’t just on the scoreboard.

“Coach Rassie speaks about it all the time,” Kolisi added. “It’s not just about winning or losing. Our drive goes deeper. Rugby doesn’t just change lives for 80 minutes; it saves them from the things that can take their lives away.”

So when Kolisi leads the Boks onto the Stade de France turf on Saturday night, that Hamediehs boy, and every child who’s found safety in rugby’s embrace, will run beside him.

Because for Kolisi and the millions who see themselves in his story, rugby isn’t just a game.

It’s hope.
It’s family.
It’s the hand that pulls you from the storm.

Watch the video: Rugby Saved Us

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2025/11/04/peter-de-villiers-id-trade-the-bok-job-for-this-hamediehs-rfcs-heartbeat-of-hope

Related story:

https://www.theathlete.co.za/2023/10/08/watch-siya-kolisi-congratulate-hamediehs-in-a-special-selfie-video

Source: SA Rugby

Teams:

France: 15 Tomas Ramos, 14 Damien Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Régis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortère

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.10 (22.10 SAST; 20.10 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Siya Hits 100. Rassie Reloads. Paris Waits.

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Siya Kolisi is about to make history – again. On Saturday night in Paris, the Bok skipper plays his 100th Test for the Springboks, marching out under the lights like a general who’s fought every battle and still wants one more.

And fittingly, the man pulling the strings, Rassie Erasmus, hits his own half-century as Bok boss. Two rugby masterminds, one glittering stage, and a French crowd ready to make noise until sunrise.

New Faces, Same Fire

Rassie’s tinkering hands are back at work. Six changes.

  • Boan Venter in for the injured Ox Nche.
  • Thomas du Toit tightens the screws at prop.
  • Eben Etzebeth partners Lood de Jager in the engine room – pure granite.
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to roam the flanks.
  • Damian Willemse starts at fullback; Cheslin Kolbe shifts back to his natural wing.
  • RG Snyman goes to the bench, resting his fire for later.

Behind them, it’s a mix of flair and fight with Cobus Reinach and young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to run the show at halfback, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel holding the midfield fort.

Kolisi leads the bruising loose trio again. It’s the same combo that traded blows with France in Marseille two years ago.

‘The Right Team for the Right Fight’

“This is the team best suited to what we expect from France,”
says Erasmus.

“They’ve been there, felt the heat, and know what’s coming from that passionate French crowd.”

And on Siya’s milestone?

“It’s massive. We’re all proud of him. He’ll stay focused on the job, but if we get it right, it’ll be a night to remember.”

Paris Will Burn (Rugby-Wise)

Les Bleus want payback for last year’s World Cup heartbreak. The French press has been singing revenge songs all week. The Boks? Calm. Cold. Calculated.

“France have class all over the park and a crowd that won’t stop,” says Erasmus.
“We have to be sharp, take our chances, and fight from first whistle to last. It’ll be brutal — and beautiful.”

Kick-off: 22:10 (SA Time)
Live on SuperSport Grandstand & Rugby channels.

Kolisi 100 — By the Numbers
Debut 2013 vs Scotland
Tests as Captain 72
World Cups 2
Total Tries 14
Coach Rassie Tests 50
Previous Centurions 8
Boks vs France — Quick Stats
  • Tests: 46
  • SA Wins: 28
  • France Wins: 12
  • Draws: 6
  • Last Meeting: SA 29–28 France (RWC 2023 QF)

Modern Take

Kolisi’s 100th test match is not only a remarkable milestone, but it’s a story of a kid from Zwide who against all odds turned grit into gold. Now, one more dance in Paris, and maybe, one more chapter for the legend.

Peter de Villiers: “I’d trade the Bok job for this”

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By Adnaan Mohamed

In the storm-tossed sea of the Cape Flats, where life often tackles harder than any front-row forward, one rugby club stands as an unsinkable ark a vessel of hope, discipline, and brotherhood carrying young men toward safer shores.

Hamediehs Rugby Football Club, born in District Six in 1896, is one of South Africa’s oldest rugby institutions. Today, its home in Vygieskraal, Athlone stands as a sanctuary for hundreds of boys navigating life’s toughest scrums.

For these kids, Hamediehs isn’t just a team – it’s a lifeline. A second family. A patch of grass where discipline, identity and pride grow stronger with every pass and tackle.

Ark of Hope – A Hamediehs Story

The following video follows a 13-year-old boy’s journey, as he navigates the harsh realities of life on the Cape Flats in Cape Town.

His salvation comes in the form of Hamediehs RFC, a club that is more than just a team, it is a brotherhood built on love and perseverance.

For this young man and his teammates, Hamediehs is the enduring ark that carries them through the floods of adversity, offering a powerful hope of triumph.

And now, they’ve found a mentor in Peter de Villiers, the former Springbok coach who once led the national side to glory between 2008 and 2011 but now finds meaning far beyond Test arenas.

“For me, rugby is part of my life,” says De Villiers.

“But to them, rugby is their life. Rugby makes them who they are. It makes them enjoy being alive.”

Every weekend at Vygieskraal, the sidelines erupt in noise and emotion with passionate parents doubling as coaches, grandparents cheering through memories, and entire families finding purpose through the game.

“You can see on the sidelines how many coaches they have with parents living through their children, through a club they’ve built over the years,” says De Villiers.

While many rugby systems chase pure talent, Hamediehs takes a different approach – one rooted in patience, heart, and belief.

“Wherever you go, people look for talent,” he explains.

“Here, people don’t care about talent, because everybody has it. They go for potential.

Talent has a sell-by date, but potential can be developed. We’re using rugby to help them become the best human beings they can be.”

It’s an ethos that mirrors life itself.

“With all the emotions that life throws at you, rugby throws them too,” De Villiers adds.

“If you learn how to handle it here, you can go back into life and make a valuable contribution to someone else.”

For a man who’s coached on the biggest stages, it’s the grassroots energy of Hamediehs that has truly captured his soul.

“I said it to them the other night:

“I’d easily trade the Springbok job for a job like this if I’m able to share my knowledge with people like them.”

Through wars, forced removals and decades of struggle, Hamediehs RFC has weathered every storm. What began in District Six still lives on – a brotherhood that refuses to sink.

Today, it remains an ark of hope, carrying each new generation across the turbulent waters of the Cape Flats – one try, one lesson, one life at a time.

130-year-old Hamediehs Rugby Football Club Legacy

Established: 1896
Base: Vygieskraal, Athlone, Cape Town
Origin: District Six – one of South Africa’s oldest clubs
Legacy: Building character, not just players
Motto: Brotherhood Through Rugby

Boks back Asenathi Ntlabakanye despite doping probe

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s rugby journey has taken another dramatic twist. Just a week ago, the Lions prop was bulldozing defenders in a Barbarians jersey. Now he’s back in Springbok green and gold right in the middle of a media storm.

The 26-year-old has been called up to replace the injured Ox Nche, who limped off during South Africa’s 61–7 demolition of Japan at Wembley on Saturday.

But Ntlabakanye’s recall comes with added scrutiny, he’s still awaiting an anti-doping hearing in December after testing positive for a non-performance-enhancing substance earlier this year.

Ntlabakanye, who disputes the finding, missed the Boks’ September tour of New Zealand after returning the adverse result. Despite the pending case, he remains eligible to play, and the Bok coaches haven’t hesitated to bring him back into the front-row mix.

“I’m not going to comment on a case that’s ongoing at the moment,” said assistant coach Felix Jones when asked about the issue.

“I’m not sure the world knows about it yet, but his skill set is incredibly impressive. He’s a very dynamic player who can get around for a guy who can handle himself in the scrum or on the ball.”

The timing of his recall couldn’t have been tighter. Ntlabakanye scored a second-minute try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at Twickenham on Saturday, before flying across London to rejoin the Bok squad the very next morning.

A few hours later, he was en route to France, ready to line up against Les Bleus in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus said the call-up was an easy decision:

“We feel for Ox and wish him well in his recovery. Asenathi has been with us for a big part of the season, he knows our systems, and he was already on standby. The fact that he was in London made it an easy fit to slot back in straight away.”

At 141 kilograms, Ntlabakanye brings raw power and energy to the Bok front row. And he’ll need all of it as he battles Gerhard Steenekamp and Boan Venter for a spot against France.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the Johannesburg-born prop. From Test debut, to controversy, to this sudden recall.

But now, under the bright lights of Paris, he has a shot at redemption and a chance to remind everyone what he does best: dominate the scrum, not the headlines.

Ox Nche back for Rugby Championship ‘Final’

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled powerhouse prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham in London.

Nche, a late withdrawal in Durban last week, returns to the front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi are back on the bench in the only other changes to the match-day 23.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Rassie.

“There are minimal personnel changes, with the bulk of the team having done the job for us last week against the Pumas in Durban and our other Rugby Championship matches.

“Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan (Venter) and Morne (van den Berg) did really well, while Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go.

“The same applies to Bongi, who last played against Australia, and who is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a match that will essentially be the Rugby Championship decider.”

Eben Etzebeth wins his 138th cap in the second row, while Siya Kolisi will lead the side in his 98th Test.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu again at halfback and Damian Willemse at fullback.

Erasmus warned of a backlash from the Pumas:

“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British & Irish Lions this season. It’s going to be another hard grind.”

The Boks will know exactly what result is needed after Australia face New Zealand earlier in the day.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.

Source: SA Rugby