• The Pumas have also beaten New Zealand and Australia in this season’s competition.
• “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.
Image: FILE
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 will 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 in the 29-28 loss last weekend and makes nine changes in total for the rematch.
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.