Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok missed a penalty that harmed the Boks’ chances of beating Argentina. (Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images)
- The Springboks have been several changes for their title-deciding Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina.
- Eben Etzebeth will be the most capped Springbok of all-time in Mbombela, while Manie Libbok has been backed to start.
- The Springboks need only a point from the match to guarantee their Rugby Championship title.
- For more Springbok news, visit our dedicated section.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok has been backed by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus as Eben Eztbeth makes history ahead of Saturday’s title-deciding Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.
The Springboks need only a point from the match to guarantee their first Rugby Championship title since the abbreviated version in 2019 and their first full tournament title since 2009
The odds are in the Springboks’ favour as they will also clinch the title if Argentina win the match without a bonus point based on competition points.
PERMUTATIONS | How Argentina can snatch Rugby Championship crown away from the Springboks
Libbok has been promoted from the bench as he and Jaden Hendrikse are paired as start halfbacks for the first time.
Erasmus praised Libbok for his general play in naming him in the starting lineup.
“Manie’s general play is fantastic, and he brings a lot of energy and play-making abilities to the backline. He dictates play well, so we back Manie fully to do the job for us at flyhalf,” he said.
“It’s not just up to him to find solutions for his goal kicking, it is something we have to do as a team, and we are working on a plan.”
In total, Erasmus made nine changes and one positional switch to the staring from last weekend’s side, who were stunned 29-28 defeat in Santiago del Estero.
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.
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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.
“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 lauded Etzebeth for his impressive career milestone as he overtakes Victor Matfield as the most capped Springbok of all time.
“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,” said Erasmus.
“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.”
With the Rugby Championship title well in sight for the Boks, Erasmus said their goal was to win the match and finish the tournament on high note.
“We know it’s not going to be easy because Argentina really believe they have what it takes to win the title, and they showed that anything is possible by defeating New Zealand at home and registering a record-breaking victory over Australia as well, so although we are close to claiming the title, we are taking nothing for granted,” said the Bok coach.
“The Pumas are a lot like South Africans. They come from a country where their players have also had to overcome great challenges to be where they are today, and this is the first time in history they have a shot at winning the trophy, so they’ll come out guns blazing because they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
“They showed the quality of rugby they can play all around last week, and they run hard, which is one of the reasons we opted for a five-three split for this game, so we are preparing for a proper final and we know it will take a massive 23-man effort for the full 80 minutes to win the trophy.”
Kick-off is at 17:00.
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
