Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has announced his matchday 23 for the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Nelspruit.
This match not only determines the tournament champion but also marks a significant milestone for lock Eben Etzebeth, who is poised to become the most capped Springbok of all time, having matched Victor Matfield’s record of 127 caps in the previous match.
Erasmus has also brought back several players who were rested during the Argentina clash and stayed in South Africa to prepare for this final home game of the year.
Etzebeth breaks Springboks record
After coming off the bench in round five, Eben Etzebeth returns to the starting XV alongside lock Ruan Nortje, earning his 128th Test cap and setting a new record as the most capped Springbok player of all time.
Joining him in the lineup are Manie Libbok and Jaden Hendrikse, who is promoted to the starting XV following the defeat to Los Pumas in Argentina. Rassie Erasmus has made a total of nine changes and one positional switch from last week’s match.
Six double Rugby World Cup winners—Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, and Siya Kolisi—return to the starting XV, with Kolisi resuming the captaincy. These adjustments mean that Erasmus has selected the same starting pack that triumphed over New Zealand 18-12 in Cape Town.
