By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-09-26 13:54:58 | Updated at 2024-09-30 09:31:36
3 days ago
South Africa are aiming to win their first Rugby Championship since 2019 on Saturday when they face Argentina, who can also still win the title, in Nelspruit.
The Springboks are five points clear at the top of the table after failing to clinch the title last weekend following a one-point defeat by Argentina.
That result gave the second-placed Pumas an outside chance of winning their first ever championship, although victory or even a bonus point - achieved by scoring four tries or finishing within seven points of their opponents - will be enough for South Africa.
However, if Argentina win the match with a bonus point and South Africa fail to pick up a bonus point, Felipe Contepomi's side will triumph based on their two victories over Rassie Erasmus' men.
The Pumas have also beaten New Zealand and Australia in this season's competition.
Lock Eben Etzebeth is set to become South Africa's most-capped player after being named to play his 128th game on Saturday
The 32-year-old will overtake 2007 World Cup winner Victor Matfield, who retired in 2015.
"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," said Erasmus.
The Boks coach rested several of his key players for the 29-28 loss last weekend and makes nine changes in total for the rematch against Argentina.
Six double World Cup winners from 2019 and 2023 return to the starting XV, including captain Siya Kolisi and influential backs Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende.
Despite missing a kick with seconds left to win the Rugby Championship, fly-half Manie Libbok gets a starting spot, with Handre Pollard dropping to the bench.
Kolbe, who could also take goal kicks if needed, said: "We have played in a few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team.
"Argentina are a phenomenal side and have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week gave me advice, so I know what to expect."
Argentina have made seven changes to their winning starting XV as Gloucester's Santiago Carreras comes in at full-back and could kick goals after fly-half Tomas Albornoz missed with three attempts last weekend.
Other changes include sevens star Rodrigo Isgro being named on the wing, while flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez is a surprise inclusion ahead of Pablo Matera, who is on the bench despite a try in the last game.
South Africa XV: Fassi, Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am.
Argentina XV: Carreras; Isgro, Moroni, Chocobares, Carreras; Albornoz, Garcia; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Sclavi, Rubiolo, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Grondona, Oviedo.
Replacements: Ruiz, Calles, Delgado, Molina, Matera, Bazan Velez, Cinti, Cruz Mallia.
Meanwhile, the other Rugby Championship game on Saturday has New Zealand hosting Australia in Wellington.
Beauden Barrett is named at fly-half ahead of Damian McKenzie, who has started all of Scott Robertson's eight games in charge of the All Blacks in the role.
Barrett will feature in his 131th game for New Zealand, with 56 of his Test starts being at number 10.
"We were always planning to give Beauden a go," said Robertson. "[McKenzie] has started every game until now and we've got to give guys opportunities.
"He's had a great season to date. There's areas of his game he can get better, but he can come on and game-manage what we need to do to finish the match."
Former captain Sam Cane will become the 13th All Black to play 100 Tests, in what will likely be the 32-year-old's final Test match before he returns to Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath.
The All Blacks are winless in five Tests in Wellington - the most recent a defeat by Argentina last month - a record that dates back to 2018.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has made two injury-enforced changes as winger Marika Koroibete and James Slipper drop out.
Experienced scrum-half Nic White is left out of the matchday squad, with Waratahs' Jake Gordon coming in to start.'
New Zealand, who are third in the Rugby Championship table, survived a late rally to beat Australia 31-28 in Sydney last weekend to retain the Bledisloe Cup.
New Zealand XV: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa'i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Jacobson, Ratima, McKenzie, Havili.
Australia XV: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Flook.
