The Springbok squad announcement for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour to Europe may have raised a few eyebrows with who was left out, and who was put in, but the one aspect that has gone a bit unnoticed is the confidence the Boks have in their options at fullback without the likes of Aphelele Fassi and Willie le Roux on tour.

While Fassi is still injured, and Le Roux is slowly heading into the Bok sunset, allowing a new generation of players to stake their claim, the Boks seem to only have named Damian Willemse - at first glance - as the only option at 15.

Willemse is, of course, not just a 15 and is a versatile utility back that can play at 10 and 12 as well, and possibly anywhere in the backline.

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Rassie Erasmus names his Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour 🇿🇦

Stormers prop Zachary Porthen is the only uncapped player to be included in the squad, while a number of players have been named on a standby list 🚨#SSRugby | #QuilterNS pic.twitter.com/qWTxAElkQr

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 20, 2025

But in the context of the current squad, he is quite possibly the best option for 15, and nobody needs reminding that the Boks won a World Cup with him at 15.

Outside Willemse, however, the Boks are blessed with a number of utility backs, versatile in their approach and able to be swiss army knived into a position that isn’t normally what you would associate them with.

This, coupled with the success the Boks had in defending their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, shows that selecting one fullback isn’t really a crisis for the current Bok management, nor would the odd experiment be out of place.

So let’s have a look at the possibilities for the fullback role should Willemse not fill it, be moved to 12 or 10 for a game or in any other possibility.

SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU

South Africa’s shooting star, the hero of Durban and the name on everyone’s lips at the moment is the obvious candidate to take over the 15 role if the Boks need him to.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has slotted into the fifteen role before and is likely to do it again - expect it to happen when coach Rassie Erasmus looks to give either Manie Libbok or Handre Pollard a run at 10.

The thing with Feinberg-Mngomezulu is that he is a superb talent, a potential generational player and most coaches with that sort of player in their side will tell you one thing. They want him on the field at all times.

So it wouldn’t be a far-fetched idea to have him there for the Boks, and it is more than likely the first choice back-up plan for Willemse.

CHESLIN KOLBE

Again we ask ourselves, is there anything that Cheslin can’t do? The fleet-footed magician has scored tries that have taken our breath away, has flummoxed defences and often punches above his own size and weight against the best in the world.

It isn’t a surprise that Bok captain Siya Kolisi calls Kolbe “the GOAT” and says he is his favourite player. Kolbe stepped up to the kicking duties when it was required in the World Cup and can easily slot in at 15.

That would even give the Boks the option of a scrumcap back three with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe. All fast, all powerful and it could be devastating.

KURT-LEE ARENDSE

Arendse played 15 early on in his career and even at the Bulls and while he is more accustomed to scoring tries on the wing, he could slot into the 15 role if needed by the Boks.

A supreme attacker, and a superb defender, KLA has not played international rugby since the Wallaby test at Ellis Park because of injury but has been selected and is expected to play a role on the tour. Who knows? It could even be at 15.

EDWILL VAN DER MERWE

Could there have been method in the Sharks’ madness? Edwill van der Merwe has been playing 15 for the Sharks in recent weeks and it wouldn’t be surprising that this could be to help the national squad out?

While there has been no suggestion that a request came from the Bok management, Van der Merwe’s penchant for scoring tries suggests he is another player you would want on the field. He has an impressive points scoring record and it wouldn’t be a massive surprise should he be deployed there.

CANAN MOODIE

One of the more intriguing possibilities is Moodie at 15. A tall winger, who has publicly said he loves playing 13, Moody seems more destined to come into the midfield than at the back, but what about the possibility? He has a decent foot, has the size and speed to make it and is good under the high ball. Positionally he may have to adapt a lot but the idea has been spoken about for a few years now, and perhaps it may be left field, but who knows?

There are a lot of other ideas that coach Rassie Erasmus may have. Manie Libbok has played 15 as well, and there are other players who could slot in there. But for the Boks the fullback isn’t only the last line of defence, he is the second playmaker as well, and in this regard it will be very interesting to see who the Boks line-up with during the tour.

And what new exciting possibilities there may be.

SA under-20 captain Zachary Porthen received a surprise call-up to the Springbok squad for the five match Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, signalling that coach Rassie Erasmus sees him as a future key figure in the Bok squad.

Porthen, who led the SA under-20 team last season, and is currently playing for the DHL Stormers, isn’t likely to be a major part of the team’s plans, but will gain a lot from learning in the Bok environment on such a long tour.

The Boks will face Japan in the first of five tests on consecutive Saturdays at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 November, before lining up against France at Stade de France in Paris (8 November), Italy at the Allianz Stadium, Turin (15 November), Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (22 November), and Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (29 November).

Porthen, who made his DHL Stormers’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut in May and is currently on tour with the team in Italy, is the only uncapped player in the 36-man squad, who will depart for London in different groups from their respective franchises and clubs on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

There are also returns for Johan Grobbelaar, who missed out on the tests this year when Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe was selected. Grobbelaar is back in contention as one of only two hookers selected, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels covering as a swinger in both prop and hooker.

Gerhard Steenekamp returns from injury and takes his spot among the front row, and with Grobbelaar back Erasmus could reunite the much-vaunted Bulls front row somewhere on this tour.

But it also means there is no place for World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch. Mbonambi missed the New Zealand leg of the Rugby Championship because of personal reasons but returned to the squad for the Argentina games. However, with Malcolm Marx starting, the Boks obviously feel his back up needs to be a player that will have one eye on the future.

Koch hasn’t played for the Boks all season and is seen as slowly being phased out of the system, along with Faf de Klerk and Makazole Mapimpi, both of whom failed to be selected as well.

Willie le Roux hasn’t been selected either, although this wasn’t unexpected, and Le Roux is likely to be on standby if needed, but will concentrate more on his role at the Bulls in the near future.

But that means that Damian Willemse - in the absence of the injured Aphelele Fassi - is the only 15 in the group right now, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu his likely back-up.

There are several other players - including wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who is back after injury, who could slot in at 15 if needed.

Among the forwards, Ben-Jason Dixon and Jean Kleyn - both injured and who missed the Rugby Championship - return to the side while the backline picks are very much in line with selections all season.

Interestingly enough Juarno Augustus has been put on the standby list in case of injury with Lukhanyo Am’s name also standing out in his absence. Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk’s consistent performances mean he will be on standby as well and could be called up in case of an injury.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is in line to become only the ninth South African test centurion on the tour after racking up his 98th test cap in the team’s 29-27 victory against Argentina in their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, earlier this month, which saw the Boks clinch the southern hemisphere title for the second time in a row.

Among the injured players not considered for selection are Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Jean-Luc du Preez, and Aphelele Fassi.

“We are excited about the makeup of this squad,” said Erasmus. “Most of the players in the group have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us before in the last few years.

“It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has emerged through our junior structures, come through the ranks into the senior set-up, and we are excited to see what he can do at this level.”

Erasmus added: “With five tough matches lined up, we always planned to select a manageable squad, and we have a solid bunch of players on standby, some of whom have been with us during stages this season, and uncapped players such as Sebastian and Juarno, who have continued to impress us with their performances.

“With Neethling and Salmaan currently in the process of returning from injury, it’s important for us that they get more game time for their Vodacom URC franchises, which was the main reason for excluding them from the 36-man squad.

“Obviously, players not included on the standby list could also be called up should the need arise.”

Looking ahead at the tour, Erasmus admitted that while it would be challenging given the quality of the opposition they will be facing, the team was eager to get back on the field.

“It’s a longer tour than usual and we are facing top-class opposition, but we are looking forward to it,” said Erasmus.

“Ireland and France are currently ranked third and fourth in the world, while Italy, Wales, and Japan are in 10th, 12th and 13th place, and we’ve seen in the last few years that you cannot write off any team.

“Ireland and France are always tough opposition, and they both won four out of their five Six Nations matches, with France emerging as the eventual champions, and we know how challenging it is to beat them both at home.

“Japan have beaten us before, Italy put up a good fight against us earlier this year in Pretoria, and Wales beat Japan, proving that they are again on an upward trajectory, so it’s going to be a challenging tour.

“We have delivered a few good performances but also a few disappointing ones this season, so this will be a good opportunity to test ourselves and see if we can build consistency from week to week. That said, it is going to take a massive effort, and we are excited about the tour.”

Springbok squad for Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:

Props:

Thomas du Toit

Wilco Louw

Ox Nche

Zachary Porthen

Gerhard Steenekamp

Boan Venter

Hookers:

Johan Grobbelaar

Malcolm Marx

Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Locks:

Lood de Jager

Eben Etzebeth

Jean Kleyn

Franco Mostert

Ruan Nortje

RG Snyman

Loose forwards

Ben-Jason Dixon

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Siya Kolisi

Kwagga Smith

Marco van Staden

Jasper Wiese

Scrumhalves

Cobus Reinach

Morne van den Berg

Grant Williams

Flyhalves:

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Manie Libbok

Handre Pollard

Midfielders:

Damian de Allende

Andre Esterhuizen

Jesse Kriel

Wings

Cheslin Kolbe

Kurt-Lee Arendse

Ethan Hooker

Canan Moodie

Edwill van der Merwe

Players on standby:

Forwards:

Juarno Augustus

Neethling Fouche

Bongi Mbonambi

Salmaan Moerat

Asenathi Ntlabakanye

Evan Roos

Vincent Tshituka

Backs:

Lukhanyo Am

Sebastian De Klerk

Makazole Mapimpi

Players in previous squads but missing

Jean-Luc Du Preez (injured)

Vincent Koch

Bongi Mbonambi (Standby)

Marnus van der Merwe

Aphelele Fassi (injured)

Willie le Roux

Makazole Mapimpi (standby)

Lukhanyo Am (Standby)

Both coaches will be desperate for their teams to win the Greatest Rivalry Series between the Springboks and All Blacks that was confirmed on Thursday evening at the start of what should become an iconic part of the rugby calendar, but it could also be a significant lift for both teams’ challenge for the following year’s Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand’s coach Scott Robertson described South Africa as the ultimate test for any team and said it was perfectly timed to help the All Blacks' challenge grow for the following year’s RWC in Australia.

“This tour has a real place in the global rugby calendar. It’s a chance to test ourselves physically and mentally in the toughest environment there is,” said Robertson.

“The timing, just before a World Cup, gives us a perfect opportunity to build depth and find out more about ourselves. The rivalry with South Africa has so much history – political, cultural, and sporting. That’s why it’s called Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. It’s more than marketing; it’s two proud rugby nations with decades of battles behind them.”

South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus got his first taste of Bok rugby as a player when he was part of the end of year tour to Europe in 1996 (the tour actually started in Argentina but he was called on as a replacement later in the trip) so knows all about what a proper tour can do. Listening to him speak about it, you almost get the impression he envies New Zealand for being the touring team next year.

"ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GET TIGHT AS A TEAM"

The All Blacks will play four games against the local URC franchises among the seven they play in South Africa, with the eighth tour game being the Fourth test to be played at a neutral venue.

“Tours are one of the best ways to really get tight as a team,” said Erasmus. “You spend so much time together, you get to know each other better, players, coaches and staff, and you even start to understand the culture and fan base of the country you’re touring. You get frustrated with each other, but that’s how you grow.

“In my first tour it was a time when we were away for seven weeks. Even though the game is more professional now, I think most players still enjoy touring. It builds connection and team spirit, and it is great for the brand too.”

However, while the All Blacks should get a great chance to grow their depth by going on a tour such as the one scheduled for next August and September, it will also tighten the Boks to be playing such a tough series together, one which is scheduled to take place every six years and will rival the British and Irish Lions tours in level of importance for players are part of it.

“The name ‘The Greatest Rivalry’ says a lot, but it’s not meant arrogantly. The history between us and New Zealand is incredibly rich – from the New Zealand Cavaliers rebel tour (to South Africa in 1986) to the flower bomb incidents in Auckland in 1981. This is not about saying it’s better than the Six Nations or anything else. It’s just a recognition of how deep and special this rivalry is.”

1996 WIN WILL INSPIRE ALL BLACKS

What Erasmus did not mention was the last proper tour and series between the two nations - 1996, when the All Blacks won a series in South Africa for the first time under the captaincy of Sean Fitzpatrick and with John Hart as the New Zealand coach. It has not been forgotten by key All Black personnel, however, and it is sure to be a galvanising memory for tourists who would have witnessed the Kiwi triumphs from afar when they were all very young.

“I remember those 1996 tests really well. Fitzy (Fitzpatrick), Marshy (Justin Marshall) and a decorated All Blacks side doing what no one had done before and winning a series in South Africa,” said Robertson.

“It was an amazing moment in our rugby history. A seven-week tour with four tests and a couple of franchise games is something unique. Watching how the British & Irish Lions managed their tour of Australia gave me a few insights, because we’ll be doing something similar next year. It’s a huge opportunity for both nations, and for fans on both sides, to see two great rivals go head-to-head again.”

Robertson added that the move of South African teams to the United Rugby Championship had made the tour possible.

“Honestly, if the South African teams had stayed in Super Rugby, this tour probably wouldn’t have happened. Their move north created the opportunity. The URC sides are strong now – full of Springboks and depth – so those midweek matches will be proper contests, not just warm-ups.”

KIWI SKIPPER SEES TOUR AS CAREER HIGHLIGHT

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett stuck to the theme set by the two rival coaches by saying that the tour would be a career highlight for him.

“The rivalry between our nations is huge, and I’m really excited about the chance to play the Springboks in a full three-match series. Any player in New Zealand aiming for this tour will want to be at their best. It’s the ultimate challenge. A seven-week tour and three straight tests in South Africa. Those tests will be incredibly physical. You’ll want to build form through the early games, then be ready for three very intense matches. It’ll be brutal at times, but that’s what it’s all about: testing yourself against the world champions in their own backyard.”

RUGBY’S GREATEST RIVALRY TOUR FIXTURES 2026

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town


Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban


Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria


Saturday 22 August: First test – South Africa v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg 


Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg


Saturday 29 August: Second test – South Africa v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town 


Saturday 5 September: Third test – South Africa v New Zealand at FNB Stadium,

Johannesburg


Saturday 12 September: Fourth test – South Africa v New Zealand (venue to be announced)

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, an alternating quadrennial tour between South Africa and New Zealand, was confirmed on Thursday, marking a defining new chapter for the intense rivalry between the sport’s most successful and storied nations.

In the tour’s maiden year, South Africa will host New Zealand in August and September 2026.

The All Blacks kick off the tour against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, 7 August and take on the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and Lions, to complement a four-test series against the Springboks.

Ellis Park (Johannesburg), DHL Stadium (Cape Town), and FNB Stadium (Johannesburg) are confirmed as South African test venues, preceding a landmark fourth test hosted at a neutral international venue.

Details of the fourth test will be confirmed in the coming months.

A tour like no other! Sign up at https://t.co/QgfIb3NQaD 📝#RGR26 #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/DEgg6gra59

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 16, 2025

By reigniting rugby’s traditional roots, the tour will renew the legacy of a rivalry known for its fierce competition and societal significance across the last century.

Next year marks 30 years since New Zealand’s last major tour of South Africa, where the visitors embarked on an eight-match schedule, culminating in a historic 2-1 test series win.

In the reciprocal 2030 iteration, South Africa will conduct their first professional era tour to New Zealand.

'A CENTURY OF DRAMA'

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said: “This fierce competition between two very proud nations has delivered more than a century of drama on rugby fields across the world, including two Rugby World Cup finals.

“We saw last year how much it means for Springbok supporters to welcome the All Blacks to South Africa, and we can't wait to see them tour our country next year, as we rekindle our friendship with our greatest adversaries.

“Today's announcement promises more drama, physicality, strategy, and unpredictability in a rivalry regarded as one of the most intense in world sport.

“This tour will also mean so much for our four franchises and their players – facing one of the best teams in the history of the game – as well as their fans, who will have the opportunity to see their team in action against international opposition for the first time since 2009. We know next year's tour will be nothing short of epic.”

'RIVALRY STEEPED IN HISTORY AND RESPECT'

Mark Robinson, CEO of New Zealand Rugby added: “The rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks is fierce, but it’s also steeped in history and respect. Rugby's Greatest Rivalry is everything that is great about traditional rugby tours while finding new ways to offer more for fans to see and engage with. All eight matches during this tour will be a showcase of our sport for fans, whether they are in New Zealand, on the ground in South Africa, or across the globe.”

'UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE AWAITS'

Back-to-back Rugby World Cup winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said: “This is going to be something huge and something this generation will never forget. These are the tours we’ve only heard of. To experience this for the first time, where it’s like a Lions tour, is unbelievable for us as a group.

“I have no doubt the Springbok fans will be there waiting to welcome the All Blacks fans to South Africa. Let’s get excited; let’s get behind it and, people of South Africa, it’s an opportunity for us to show the world once again who we are and what we are about – we certainly can’t wait for it.”

'EVERYTHING ON THE LINE'

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said: “This is a huge rivalry, and one that is founded off mutual respect, but for 80 minutes these are two teams that every time they play there’s everything on the line. The intensity is right up there, and it is shaping up to be a heck of a tour. The format will be great, and there will be a whole lot of excited fans watching from home, and travelling with us as well. We are looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the tour, including match bundles, will go on general sale early next year. Fans can sign up to be the first to hear and gain priority access to pre-sales by visiting greatest-rivalry.com

History. Pride. Legacy 🔥

Thirty years in the making - this is a tour like no other 🌍

Sign up for presale access to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, coming to South Africa August–September 2026, at https://t.co/QgfIb3Oo0b 🔗#RGR26 #RugbysGreatestRivalry #Springboks

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 16, 2025

RUGBY'S GREATEST RIVALRY TOUR FIXTURES 2026

Friday 7 August: DHL Stormers v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Tuesday 11 August: Hollywoodbets Sharks v New Zealand at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Saturday 15 August: Vodacom Bulls v New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday 22 August: First test – South Africa v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Tuesday 25 August: Lions v New Zealand at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Saturday 29 August: Second test – South Africa v New Zealand at DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Saturday 5 September: Third test – South Africa v New Zealand at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg

Saturday 12 September: Fourth test – South Africa v New Zealand (venue to be announced)

The wait is over for eager rugby fans in Cape Town and surrounds, following the opening of a second Springboks retail store at the popular Canal Walk shopping centre, featuring the new range of off-field team branded clothing.

National team stars Babalwa Latsha, Cobus Reinach, Cheslin Kolbe, Frans Malherbe, Lood de Jager, and Selvyn Davids, as well as the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, were on hand for the official opening on Wednesday evening, performed by SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander. The debut store opened its doors in Sandton City three months ago.

The store features SA Rugby’s official Nike replica teamwear as well as an exciting new range of off-field supporters wear, designed to be worn “not just on Saturdays”.

“The Springbok store in Sandton has been an unprecedented success since opening a few months ago and we’re very excited to open the second one here in Cape Town,” said Alexander at the launch event.

“This store is more than a retail space – it’s a statement of intent, a declaration of unity, and a tangible extension of the values that define South African Rugby – from grassroots development to the elite level of the Springbok jersey.

“Wearing your team’s replica kit at matches is important but our new off-field offering allows supporters to show their allegiance to the Boks every day – whether at work or at play, smart or causal.

“We live in a time where our brand is often ambushed and used without permission, without contribution and without respect for the journey that brought us here. Let me be clear: the Springbok is not a commodity, it’s a symbol of sacrifice, unity and national pride.

"Those who trade on its image without investing in its future do not build, they borrow. They do not uplift – they exploit.

“This store stands in contrast. It is built on integrity, on partnership and on purpose. It invites every South African to wear the jersey with pride, knowing that behind every stitch is a story of progress, resilience and shared commitment.

“Since launching this new range we’ve seen a massive uptake in fans keen to show their support for the Boks in every kind of social setting – from the office to the braai and at matches of course.

“With Cape Town being one of the busiest tourist destinations in our country, we’re expecting people to flock to this store to buy something that represents one of the best and most famous South African brands, and we can’t wait to welcome them to the Springbok store in Canal Walk.”

The range as well as official team Nike wear is also available at a dedicated official Springbok online shop at www.springbokretail.com for fans both at home and overseas.

The opening of the stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town marks the successful completion of a strategic goal set by the Executive Council of SA Rugby to answer South Africa’s hunger for the Springbok brand. A third store is being planned for Pretoria.

Rian Oberholzer, SA Rugby CEO, said: “We’ve been stepping up our commercial programme over the last few years and the success of the store in Sandton City showed us that the timing was right for us to move into this space, as it’s another way in which we can add value for our supporters, while offering more than just replica team jerseys.

“When we launched in Sandton in July, we made it clear that we wanted to open more stores in due course, and the Canal Walk outlet is the first to follow, where rugby fans can choose from a range of clothing and other items to show their support for our national teams.”

AT LEAST THE KRUGER GATE FROGS SHOWED EXCITEMENT

“Bokke, Bokke, Bokke…” To me it was unmistakable. The frogs that created a nightly symphony at my timeshare at Burchell’s Lodge, near the Kruger Gate entry to the Kruger National Park (it is still called that), were in awe of Malcolm Marx and singing their approval.

My colleague Brenden Nel, who had joined me to cover the final Castle Lager Rugby Championship game and the second round of the Vodacom URC from the bush, thought I was stretching it and that it was proof I should go back to diluting my whiskey with water. So did another friend and colleague from the industry, Liam del Carme, who tends to be cynical about these things. But to me it was unmistakable - “Bokke, Bokke, Bokke…”

Which if it was the case was a considerably tuned up version of the excitement generated by the Springboks, meaning the rugby team and not the antelope (we don’t get those here by the way, it’s not arid enough), elsewhere among their support base. You know the Boks are doing well when their supporters believe a 16 point lead, which it was quite late in the game, is too close for comfort. And it is a much improved Argentina they are playing against.

In the end it was just two points, but the Boks gifted Argentina the converted try that brought them back to within nine and the last one was a consolation effort when the game was already won and lost. Had Cheslin Koble found a teammate with the speculative pass that was intercepted the Boks might well have scored and then it would have been a winning margin approximating the more than 30 points in Durban the week before.

The rather muted response to the Bok win, with the narrowness of it on the scoreboard even drawing comments that suggested they were short of being satisfied from the Boks themselves, is an indication that five weeks can be a sod of a long time in rugby. It was about five weeks ago it was all doom and gloom after the Boks lost to New Zealand at Eden Park. Now the expectation is that they don’t just win every game, they win it in style, or we won’t be satisfied.

That is the expectation the Boks will have to learn to live with going forward now that they’re inhabiting a different stratosphere to the one they inhabited before.

PARIS GAME TOO BIG NOT TO GO ALL IN

We will know in the coming weeks what Rassie Erasmus intends to do with his selection, but while the wise course of action might be what I suggested a few weeks ago, there has been a subsequent adjustment to my thinking when it comes to what should be a seismic clash between the world’s best teams in Paris in early November.

The World Rugby Rankings don’t reflect that the French are up with the Boks as the standout nation, but for my money they are. They are the only country that can boast anything near the rugby depth that this country does. Anything can happen in a World Cup knockout game and let’s not forget that the Boks won the last global showpiece event by winning three successive playoff games by a solitary point. They very nearly exited the tournament at the hands of a very average England team.

But if you want to talk about a threat, France rank above France, Ireland, England and, because some people genuinely think they may be good enough to challenge at their own World Cup by 2027, Australia.

That their ranking doesn’t reflect that is mainly down to their coach Fabian Galthie’s decision to send an under-strength squad to their recent three match series against the All Blacks in New Zealand. They lost 3-0 but came close in two of the games, thus reflecting the options Galthie has at his disposal. By some reckonings it wasn’t even a France second string team, but a third string.

Galthie made his selection with the tough schedule faced by his players in mind, and Bok coach Erasmus is in charge of a playing group that, because of the 12 month South African season, is even more physically and mentally taxed than the French are. And if he selected his team for the November tour around that consideration, and he wouldn’t be the first Bok coach to do it as Jake White did it in 2006, I’d understand.

Given that the franchises still pay a significant proportion of the Bok player salaries, Erasmus shouldn’t always rely on the franchise coaches to make the necessary sacrifices around resting the Bok players. Erasmus should take on some of that load, and he’s created enough depth to do it.

But for many reasons, and not just because it is the southern champions against the Six Nations champions, therefore European champions, the game against France has become massive. So too has the meeting with Ireland in Dublin later in the tour. Aviva Stadium is a venue where the Boks haven’t won in a sod of a long time. So it needs an all in approach, although resting some key players who may need it wouldn’t be a bad idea and the Boks probably have enough depth to ride it.

MARX WAS MY MVP

Talking of resting, there wasn’t much rest for Malcolm Marx during the international season. The hooker was the one constant presence in the Bok starting team almost throughout, and while in the early stages of the Championship I thought he was a little short of a gallop, possibly because he was carrying an injury, he was excellent over the last few weeks.

To my mind it was as much his departure from the field as the intercept try that coincided with it that brought Argentina back a bit into the game at Twickenham. Marx was the most influential player before that. Which is not to say I disagree with those who say Pieter-Steph du Toit is the best rugby player in the world. PSTD is the best. No argument. Just that Marx is the one player the Boks currently can’t do without.

It may sound like a funny thing to say when the Boks won the last World Cup final with a player who had played mostly flank for a decade deputising at hooker, and with Marx having been ruled out of the tournament at an early stage. But the succession plan for Marx must be one thing that keeps Erasmus awake at night, and you can tell that by how little rotation there has been when it comes to the No 2 jersey.

From an age viewpoint, Marx will still be up with it at the next World Cup, but the progress of Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who in my view is the next cab off the rank at hooker, will be closely followed over the next year. As will that of Marnus van der Merwe and some on the outside looking in, such as Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar and the Stormers’ Andre-Hugo Venter. Both have shown promising form in the early stages of the URC.

ACKERMANN FACES INTERESTING DILEMMA

Mention of Wessels as a hooker option cues the subject of the enviable dilemma faced by new Bulls coach Johan Ackermann. He will be losing Wilco Louw next season when the Ceres farmer returns to his old team, the Stormers, but for now he has a ridiculous surfeit of riches. Grobbelaar has been outstanding, but with Gerhard Steenekamp now back from his injury, Wessels may have to challenge for the No 2 jersey. And the Bulls also still have that superb finisher, Akker van der Merwe, on their books.

KEPLER SUMMED UP BOK PROBLEM YEARS AGO


He wasn’t talking about the Springboks, but about the Proteas team he captained at the time, but Kepler Wessels may have been spot on about the challenge faced by Rassie Erasmus when he spoke about the occasional inconsistency of his team more than three decades ago.

It will be recalled that when South Africa made her return to international cricket there was an immediate impact made following the initial feeling out ODI series in India under the captaincy of Clive Rice. The Proteas thrashed Australia in the first match they ever played in a Cricket World Cup - and it was played in Australia. They went on to be unlucky losers in a semifinal that changed the way that the sport dealt with rain interruptions. Hello Duckworth-Lewis.

And yet while they frequently surprised everyone by how well they managed their return at both test and ODI level, there were also fairly frequent blowouts. Which prompted the words I remember from Kepler: “You have to understand that while there is a lot of talent in this team, international cricket is still new to the players and that will mean there will be inconsistency for a few years.”

The Boks aren’t new to international rugby, but they are on a growth curve not unlike the one that Kepler’s team was on all those years ago when it comes to bedding in a transformed approach that in time could make them unbeatable but for now, because it is high risk and high reward, might mean there are a few blips in the short term.

KIWIS THE LAST STUMBLING BLOCK TO GLOBAL SEASON

Details of the tour that will go with the Rivalry Series between the Springboks and All Blacks will be made known shortly, but there is one detail that hits me as an obvious drawback - while the franchise opposition the Kiwis will face should be strong, if the games are played in August surely they will be played out of season for local franchise players?

While the Boks will still be playing then because they are on a non-stop conveyor belt, the month of August should be when the rank and file players are just starting out on their conditioning and preparation for the following season, which will kick off at the end of September. How are they going to fit a plum and tough game against the All Blacks into their off-season?

Fortunately this may be a temporary problem because there are signs that the move towards a much needed global season might be happening. Australia have made it known they will fit in if the Rugby Championship is rescheduled from its current August and September window to March to coincide with the timing of the Six Nations.

Of course they had to do that because they want the Championship to continue, and at the moment both South Africa and New Zealand might need that competition less than the Wallabies and Pumas do. Already it appears that the Championship will be suspended next year to accommodate the SA/NZ series and, riveting as the most recent one was, it will become less of an annual event.

Argentina, who have the bulk of their top players playing in the northern hemisphere, will be keen to play the Championship in March too, so it is only now New Zealand that stand in the way. The Kiwis have apparently been the main stumbling block to the inception of a global season for some time now, but they are becoming isolated in their quest to stick with the traditional southern and northern seasons and my money says that it is now inevitable that in time they will fall in line.

And it will be a good thing too because the current situation faced by South Africa, where the Boks are playing the Championship when the northern opponents they face at club level are resting, and playing URC and the European games when their southern opponents are resting over Christmas, is ridiculous.

LAST GAMES BROUGHT PERSPECTIVE ON WALLABIES

I was accused of being a bit negative about the Wallabies during their series against the British and Irish Lions. I felt the Lions win wasn’t that great an achievement because they were just playing against Australia. Then came the Johannesburg test, where they scored 38 unanswered points against the Boks, and suddenly there was some egg on the face.

But while acknowledging that the Wallabies have undeniably improved under the coaching of Joe Schmidt, and have an identity now whereas they had no identity under the coaching of Eddie Jones, the last two games of the Championship have brought a different perspective on the Aussies to the one that was building around them back in August.

Two successive defeats to a not particularly good All Black team left them second last in the Championship, with two wins in six. Yes, an improvement, but they were lucky to beat Argentina in the first game in Townsville, and could easily have ended last. They may be getting some League stars back before the World Cup, but anyone who thinks they are real contenders for global supremacy at this point is being fanciful.

FELT LIKE A COW

I travelled to where I am now from northern Zululand last week via Eswatini and am pleased to report that the passport control process at both ends is still as seamless as it was when I last made the transit to Mpumalanga through that country in 2014.

The only out of the ordinary process that confronted me came in a roadblock encountered about an hour’s drive into the country. I came across a police roadblock and the focus wasn’t on whether I had been drinking or on my drivers licence, but on a request to walk through a tray of water.

“Please make contact with the water,” was the command. I felt like cattle must feel when they are sent through a dipping trough. Well okay, that’s a major exaggeration, and it certainly didn’t put me out like it might Molly the Moo Cow.

NOT QUITE SPRINGBOKKEN BUT NOT RHINOSTEREN EITHER

There happened to be a bus of foreign tourists also going through customs at the exit from Zululand near Golela. I couldn’t help but overhear their excited conversations about their experiences of Africa thus far.

Clearly they had visited some private reserve where there wasn’t an overabundance of big game because one of the conversations went like this:

“Have you seen any game yet?”

“Yes, we were really excited. We saw an impala. That was our first encounter with an African antelope.”
Assuming they were going to spend time in one of the Swazi reserves, like Royal Hlane, which you drive through on the national road and encounter a road sign warning cyclists and pedestrians to watch out for lions and elephants, and then Kruger, the words that went through my mind were “You ain’t seen nothing yet”.

In the Kruger impala are known by the guides as “the MacDonalds of the bush”, mostly because every predator wants to eat them but also because they are so plentiful. They are behind every anthill and tuft of grass. If my American friend (I think he was American) could get excited about seeing one impala, I fear the excitement he might feel in the Kruger might just be the end of him (he was old enough to have a dickey heart).

Of course if he was heading to the Kgalagadi instead it would be springbok, and not impala, he would be getting excited about. Foreigners getting excited by Springboks? It didn’t happen often in the past, but the new blend to the game the team that plays with the leaping Bok as its emblem is moving towards is going to change that.

The excellent Afrikaans rugby writer Louis de Villiers once wondered why Paul Roos, when he arrived with his South African team in the UK in 1906, told the local journalists “You can call us Springbokken”. At the time the Boks were playing a style of rugby that Louis felt would be more suitable to a request to “call us rhinosteren”. That’s changed, although if you looking for any likeness between Pieter-Steph or Eben Etzebeth with a pronking springbok you will be wasting your time.

So which animal then? Well, the honey badger, or the ratel as they call them in another language, has a proper strut about it. It might be a bit small, but so is a springbok, and after an encounter in a camping site a few years ago they are the one animal I am properly scared of.

Looking back at the Springboks performances in the recent Castle Lager Rugby Championship, one thing is clear. This isn’t about Tonyball anymore, it is more about Totalball.

The tendency to coin a phrase to encompass everything has never quite fit this Springbok side, who can switch back easily to type and revert to their physical, direct blunt force approach, but what we have witnessed in recent weeks is not a simple switch to another style, it is a bold step in the right direction to make the Boks an all-encompassing team.

There have always been coaches around the world who have feared the day the Boks match their brute force - whether in the setpiece or the forwards - with the attacking flair they have been so circumspect to employ in the past.

But the performances - especially in Wellington and Durban and to a lesser extent Twickenham and Eden Park - have shown that this team is very much heading in the right direction and is very close to achieving the type of rugby game they want to play.

SLOW STARTS

This is not downplaying the work they still have to do. Any Bok fan will admit there still are a lot of work-ons for the side - none the least the slow start they seem to have picked up in recent weeks, but on the back of defending the Rugby Championship, and with a five game tour ahead of them in the next few weeks the Boks will be looking to take a bigger step towards their new found gospel, and preach it to the unbelievers in the northern hemisphere that watched their Rugby Championship exploits from afar.

One of our colleagues - Jon Cardinelli - coined the phrase this week in a piece for Rugbypass, and quipped that the Boks are no longer looking to “Tonyball” but to “Totalball” and that is spot on.

The side has not shirked its core values. The setpiece is still an attack to launch from. The scrums still dominate and look for penalties and the physicality is still something to behold. But Brown’s work has not been to transform the backline but to unleash them. And the biggest winners have not been the backs, but rather the forwards.

NEW LEASE ON LIFE

Veterans Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi have a new lease on life, and are playing some of their best rugby of their careers - a bold statement given the performances they have put in the Green and Gold jersey in the past.

Anyone who doubts this just needs to look at the stats, where Du Toit sits comfortably in the top 10 players in the Rugby Championship in terms of carries, but then also surprises to be in the top 10 with clean breaks as well.

Du Toit made the second most offloads in the competition - read that again - alongside James O’Connor and was joint eighth in clean breaks - normally a stat that you wouldn’t expect him to be anywhere near.

How about defenders beaten? Jasper Wiese is the first forward on the overall Championship stats list and eighth overall - having beaten 15 defenders, despite missing the first three games of the Championship because he was suspended.

The stats don’t lie - another forward enjoying a renewed lease of life is Malcolm Marx, the fans’ man of the match in the Twickenham win and the player who was the top joint top try scorer in the Championship with four.

SURPRISING OFFLOAD STAT

Offloads? Eben Etzebeth has the same amount as Damian Willemse and is sixth overall, even though he missed a test or two.

The evolution to Totalball is something exceptional and it is the forwards who have led the way. Players like Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu have rightly received their plaudits, and deservedly so, but the stats show that the Boks have not shirked their responsibilities, and have fronted up, but this time their fronting up has a new face.

This is a physical pack that has skills, that can offload and beat defenders. This is a high-paced unit that has only got started, but still lays a significant platform for the backs.

It may sound oversimplified, but the move to “totalball” was overdone at Ellis Park, where the Boks ran themselves off their feet and were sucker punched by the Wallabies. Since then they have been more circumspect, more balanced and have put their attacking game into motion with a decent defensive system and much more.

TOTALBALL IS HERE

While Tonyball was originally credited, Totalball is more apt because suddenly the aerial game has become a catalyst. Defences can’t organise when you disrupt them and get a kick return and the Boks have coupled that with an ability to attack and strike blows when it matters.

The ability to have forwards in this aerial battle has helped, and it has launched something bigger and better.

Critics may point to the fact the Boks lost at Ellis Park and Eden Park and say there is an overreaction to the positive spin around the Boks at the moment. But they can’t see the forest for the trees.

This is a revolution that is churning on, which has gained momentum and which has struck a few significant blows. Bok rugby couldn’t be healthier at this moment and while the challenges will come in the next month - especially in Dublin and Paris - the Boks will put their heads down and work even harder.

The momentum shift over the past month will be frightening to a lot of opposition coaches ahead of 2027, but it is still very much a work in progress.

But those 20 minutes at Ellis Park at the start, those 40 in Wellington and Durban tell a tale that can’t be ignored.

Totalball is here to stay, and the Boks are smiling.

There is no other way to say it, this is the golden generation of Springbok rugby, and a survey across the landscape says one thing - it can only get better.

This Bok generation has now won back-to-back World Cups and back-to-back Rugby Championships. They have defeated the British and Irish Lions, and they are the No. 1 side in the world.

The past seven years in Springbok rugby have been one of guts and glory, of determination and success, and while Rassie Erasmus’ side continues to set the pace, the rest of the structures are gaining fast and ensuring this success will continue for a time to come.

Even though the win at Twickenham wasn’t as exceptional as the one in Durban, the Bok wobble at Ellis Park had been buried, a new crew of Bok upstarts are making their names on the international stage, and while the Boks have used 50 odd players this season, they have not sacrificed quality, form or their spot at the top of the rankings.

🏆 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃 🏆

For the first time in history, the Springboks win back-to-back tournaments after one of the most entertaining editions ever 👏🇿🇦#SSRugby | #TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/Z0Le4Wgx3C

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 4, 2025

BOKS A LEVEL ABOVE ALL BLACKS

New Zealand may have finished on the same points as South Africa in the Rugby Championship, but it would be hard to find many of their fans who believe the All Blacks are currently on the same level as the Boks.

The Wellington massacre underlined that, and underlined what a missed opportunity it was at Eden Park, where a poor start cost the Boks a record victory against their greatest rivals.

At under-20 level, the Junior Boks were worthy World Championship winners, and the structures being put in place certainly point to that continuing. Coach Kevin Foote has his eye on the next generation of players and is actively looking to make sure that the Junior Boks dominate that competition when they defend the title.

The Sevens team are World Series champions, and while the anomaly of the current warped Series meant they only had to win the Series finale to claim that title, it is theirs until it is taken away.

The SA under-18 team dominated their recent series against England, France and Ireland, and a random look at any Saturday on SuperSport Schools will show just how much talent there is coming through.

DIVERSITY HAS BOLSTERED RESULTS

The wonderful thing about this generation is that the talent is so diverse, and so varied, and here I’m not only talking about demographics. One of rugby’s most enduring successes over the past few years is the way the discussion about race has been totally put on the back burner, and how pure talent dominates, no matter what form it is in.

At the Springboks, there is the opportunity on the wing, for instance, to continue with the scrumcap brilliance of Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, or Edwill van der Merwe, or put some brute power in Ethan Hooker on the wing, or the sublime grace of a Makazole Mapimpi in full flight.

You only have to look at the URC teams to know that there are youngsters across the teams that are making their breakthrough, and several Currie Cup heroes that have been drafted into some of the URC squads as well.

The key to this continuing is structures and opportunities. And here, quietly behind the scenes, Dave Wessels has done a remarkable job. Whether it was bringing Swys de Bruin in for the Women’s World Cup and his continued involvement in the development of the Springbok women’s team, or Foote at under-20 level. The level of excellence has been raised.

Wessels has now got plans for a proper under-19 and under-21 league to be confirmed by SA Rugby, as well as a potential under-23 league, which would solve the problem during the URC season of so many players not having a second tier to keep themselves match fit.

GLOBAL SEASON STILL NEEDED

A glance at the URC squads is notable for the long injury lists, and that is a consequence of a never-ending season, underlining the fact that something needs to be done to get to a global season and an off-season for the top players that is consecutive and has positive consequences. That is a fight that is going on at World Rugby board level and has made progress in the past few weeks, with Australia signalling they aren’t against moving the Rugby Championship to the same time as the Six Nations.

The holdout is New Zealand, but as things stand, the game will move on even if they don’t come to the table, and that conundrum will be solved in time.

But for now, there has been glory. SuperSport’s social media showed Siya Kolisi’s plethora of cup wins in a post this past weekend, and it is easy to forget how dark things were before 2018 and just how low Springbok rugby had sunk.

The country has more rugby players than any nation in the world, but the challenge has always been to manage them properly, use the talent correctly, and get the most out of them.

MORE STILL TO COME

SA Rugby aren’t quite there yet, but there have been massive strides over the past few months.

And to think of all the success that has already been achieved, and what is still to come.

This isn’t to say it is a given. There are always challengers who will try and out-think and out-play you, but the challenge is to stay ahead of the pack.

Two years back, many were wondering if it was even possible for a team to challenge for a third consecutive World Cup after winning two in a row.

Time will answer that question, but standing now, at the end of the Rugby Championship with less than two years to go to the tournament, it certainly looks like a possibility.

A lot can happen between now and then, but where we stand right now, the Springboks and South African rugby as a whole have set a standard of excellence and are in the middle of a golden generation.

Rugby fans across the country can enjoy it even more knowing that the best, potentially, is still to come.

Handré Pollard has been named this week’s Springbok Dream Team winner, securing a commanding majority of the public vote and reaffirming his place as one of South African rugby’s most trusted generals.

With over 70 per cent of the vote, fans made their voices heard: when it comes to composure, control, and clutch performances, Pollard still stands tallest.

Why Pollard Was the Right Choice

Few players in Springbok history have delivered under pressure quite like Pollard. From his nerveless kicking in two World Cup finals to his tactical mastery in tight contests, he’s the embodiment of calm in chaos.

Even in a season where younger flyhalves are being blooded, Pollard’s recent performances - including a flawless kicking display against the Wallabies - reminded fans of his enduring value. His game management, defensive grit, and ability to turn pressure into points remain unmatched.

Pollard doesn’t just play rugby. He plays test rugby - the kind that wins trophies.

A Touch of Class: Morné Steyn

Finishing second in the voting was Morné Steyn, the only flyhalf in history to win two British & Irish Lions series - and the man who kicked the winning penalty in the 2009 decider. His legacy is built on precision, poise, and a quiet ruthlessness that defined an era.

Steyn’s presence in the top two adds gravitas to the poll - a nod to the golden age of tactical flyhalves who knew how to win games with their boots and their brains.

Pollard’s win this week isn’t just a celebration of past glories - it’s a reminder that some players never stop being relevant. And in the eyes of the fans, the Ice Man still burns brightest.

Check out what Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and his players had to say after their victory over Argentina at Twickenham, London, on Saturday earned them the 2025 Rugby Championship title.

COACH RASSIE ERASMUS

PLAYERS

South Africa’s final game in their back-to-back Castle Lager Rugby Championship triumph was a microcosm of their campaign - their biggest opponent proved to be themselves, and it meant that their dominance wasn’t reflected in the scoreline.

A two-point winning margin over Argentina at Twickenham will suggest to people who look back when the current events are consigned to history, that it was a narrow squeak for Siya Kolisi and his team. It wasn’t. Once they got the bit between their teeth shortly before halftime, it was clear there was only going to be one winner.

When the Boks scored 26 unanswered points from the 37th minute to the 58th, it was effectively a repeat of what happened to New Zealand in Wellington and Los Pumas in Durban in the second half. There was just one team on the field, and the game and the Championship were effectively wrapped up in those minutes.

GAME MANAGEMENT CAN IMPROVE

But if there is one major learning for the Boks to take from their winning campaign that should weigh more heavily than all the others, it is around game management. The Boks didn’t need to play as if they were chasing the game once they went 16 points up, and it was the seven-point gift presented to them when the Boks tried to run from their own half in a manner that might not have looked out of place in a touch rugby game on the beach that gave the Pumas some much-needed breathing space.

Back to back 🏆#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/amBv1y3QJP

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 4, 2025

With that intercept try from Cheslin Kolbe’s loose pass happening shortly before the scheduled departure from the field of by far the most influential Bok player on the day, Malcolm Marx, the Bok finish to the game was more nervous than it needed to be. They lost discipline a bit in that period. And yet they still had it under control, and the try that reduced it to a two-point end margin came when the game had effectively been won.

The Rugby Championship log reflects a similar distortion of reality. In the end, the Boks and New Zealand ended on the same number of log points. It was the South African team’s superior points differential that separated them, and in some media forums, the headline asked the question: “The Boks won the TRC but were they the best team?” That wasn’t a question that needed to have been asked.

WIN MARGINS REFLECTED BOK DOMINANCE

The Boks were the most dominant team, and by some distance, with their 33-point and 37-point winning margins in Wellington and Durban reflecting the standard they have set. Had Kolbe’s pass gone to hand and not been intercepted by Bautista Delguy, it probably would have been a 30-point or more margin at Twickenham too.

That there was the appearance that there wasn’t much separating the teams, given by the final log, was really down to the Boks’ fatal loss of concentration, or maybe it would be better to call it the over-confidence they were seduced into, at the end of a dominant first quarter against Australia in Johannesburg at the start of the competition.

It's all over in London. The #Springboks have retained the Castle Lager Rugby Championship 🇿🇦
Thanks for two tough games @lospumas and good luck for the rest of the year 🤝#ForeverGreenForeverGold #ARGvRSA pic.twitter.com/GcvF56nStY

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 4, 2025

That first 20 minutes, when the Boks went up 22-0 and everything they touched turned to gold, showed the standard that they can operate at - but then they overplayed and, with balance lacking in their all-round game, they ran themselves off their own feet and paid the price. The difference between that game and the most recent one in London was that the poor pass that Wallaby centre Joseph Sua’ali'i intercepted in Johannesburg was fatal for the Boks whereas Kolbe’s more recent blip wasn’t.

Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt clearly did not forget that opening 20 minutes, when he said his team “couldn’t breathe”, and he wasn’t referring to the effects of altitude there, for he referenced it when asked a week later, after the Boks won in Cape Town, if there had been an improvement in the home team’s play.

Clearly he didn’t really think so, even though the result at DHL Stadium was different. He said the first quarter at Ellis Park was the best window of rugby he’s ever seen from the Boks. If we were to ask him now, he might also throw in the second half in Wellington and in Durban. Or even that dominant third quarter in London.

WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN 80-MINUTE PERFORMANCE

You will note that these are all just portions of games that are being referenced, which is what is ominous for future opponents - it means the Boks still have to produce an 80-minute performance. In the last four games, their execution has been off in the first half every time, and then they’ve hit the straps after halftime. What will happen when they are good from the start and sustain that?

Big try for the Springboks just before half-time 💥

With Rassie watching on from the sideline, Cobus Reinach goes over after a powerful scrum 💪

📺 Stream #TRC2025 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/qd3KoNxg0F

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 4, 2025

It is something France and Ireland, the two big opponents on the end-of-year tour, might be contemplating as they look forward to what could be seismic clashes in Paris and Dublin. That is the next step for the Boks, who have proved themselves to be the dominant southern hemisphere nation despite the fact that they are still growing and the fact that their high-risk, high-reward approach will still mean the odd hit, like the momentum shift that was sparked by Argentina’s intercept try.

GAME GROWTH MATCHED BY INDIVIDUAL GROWTH

The Boks have grown their game immeasurably over the past two months, and their growth as a team has been matched by individual growth. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s dazzling record-breaking performance in Durban was the biggest statement, but over the past few weeks, other relative newcomers like Canan Moodie, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Ethan Hooker have announced themselves as potential match-winners, while Ruan Nortje, Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok and others have cemented their reputations.

That is not to mention the old stagers who have produced when necessary, as Damian de Allende did big time this past weekend, while Marx and the ever-green Pieter-Steph du Toit would compete with each other for my Man of the Championship award if there was one. Wilco Louw smashed the opposition at every first scrum after coming onto the field, but Thomas du Toit has also picked up momentum.

Eben Etzebeth remains Eben Etzebeth, skipper Kolisi has shown good form once reunited with the No. 6, and Handre Pollard was the match-winner in the Cape Town game against the Wallabies.

So what could go wrong? Well, France are probably the one nation that can challenge the depth of South Africa, so they will be a big challenge, but the biggest obstacle to the Boks is themselves. In the past two games, they gifted at least 21 points to the opposition. It’s part of the growing process, but when they stop doing that, it is hard to see anyone beating them.

Final round Castle Lager Rugby Championship results

Australia 14 New Zealand 28

Argentina 27 South Africa 29

 

Given where they started the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, the fact that the Springboks ended with back-to-back championship wins and retained their No. 1 status while growing the squad is testament to just how good the current squad is.

Cast your mind back to the start of the tournament where the Boks were underwhelming in many pundits' eyes after regulation wins over Italy and Georgia in the Incoming Series, and then contrast it against the celebrations at Twickenham for winning the Rugby Championship.

A lot has changed, and a lot has stayed the same. This is no longer a Springbok side at the start of the evolution.

This is a Springbok side that is evolving at a rapid rate. Where they started the Championship with a sucker punch loss to the Wallabies, a defeat that reverberated in World Rugby circles and where the Boks were very much their own worst enemies, this same side finished the Rugby Championship as the leader of the pack of countries chasing that No 1 spot, confidence and having unleashed a new attack.

LOADS OF WORK-ONS STILL

It hasn’t always been perfect, and there are a lot of work-ons still for this coaching group before they get to play the perfect 80 minutes, but in terms of resilience and fight, in terms of new stars coming to the surface and in terms of results, there is very little that can be criticised.

The Boks have chopped and changed, evolved and won and while this has been the most competitive Rugby Championship for decades, they have dominated it despite the final log saying they only won it on points difference.

There are those who will doubt it, and those who will point to the flaws of this side, but few will remember that they started the Rugby Championship with a very different team. They started the tournament with a clear idea who the No 1 player in each position is, and they finished it with a very different idea.

In almost every position, there are three players who can slot in at any moment, and in some there have been some shooting stars.

LONDON WIN SHOWED BOKS CAN WIN IN OTHER WAYS

London’s finale may not have been the big win the Bok fans wanted, but it showed a side that managed to control a game for most of it, and while there are still flaws, knows how not to panic, and knows how to claw their way back from setbacks.

In terms of gains this Springbok team has ended the season with a star like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and some strong contenders for permanent starting spots. While Durban will always be remembered for Sacha’s exploits, the rise of players such as Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Wilco Louw, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Ruan Nortje will always be seen as a positive.

Some of them started already last season, and just took that extra step up this season, leaving Bok rugby in a very positive space going into the last five games of the year.

The Rugby Championship proved the Boks are a step ahead of the pack, and that they still have work to do. But slowly they are moving to a new attacking level. As Twickenham showed, their game management still needs work, there are still flaws on defense but when they get going there isn’t a team in the world that can stop them.

NOT FINISHED PRODUCT

They are not the finished product yet, but they are at least 20 per cent better than they were when they won the Rugby Championship last season.

And their growing pains may be there, but they are positive and they are moving through a process at an alarming speed, something that will worry other nations ahead of their quest for a Rugby World Cup three-peat in 2027.

This is the Boks' golden age and it is only getting better.

There are five games left until the end of the year and the World Cup draw for 2027. Those five games bring their own challenges. But the Twickenham win was a massive achievement in securing the back-to-back Championship, and even coach Rassie Erasmus admitted they were still learning.

FAR FROM PERFECT

“I’m satisfied with the result and winning the Castle Lager Rugby Championship back-to-back. This was a massive game for us, and although it was a far from perfect performance, I would prefer to see us learn while we are winning than losing,” he said after the game.

“We are still in a good position for the Rugby World Cup draw, but there is no doubt we have five tough matches ahead, and there is a lot of work ahead for us.

“The reality is that Argentina defeated Australia, New Zealand, and the British & Irish Lions, so we’ll celebrate tonight and take that positive from this match.”

Given where they started and the horror of the Ellis Park loss, the way they finished was such a vindication of the attacking transition that it won’t be abandoned.

The Boks know they can get better, and that is the frightening prospect.

The rest of the world know it as well, and will be hoping someone in November can stop them, or at least find a way to slow them down.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said he hoped his side's Rugby Championship triumph would provide fresh inspiration to South Africa as a whole following the world champions' thrilling 29-27 win over Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

"I think I've worn this jersey when nobody wanted to watch us play and when it was hard to get a win," Kolisi, who previously skippered South Africa to back-to-back world titles in 2019 and 2023, told reporters.

"And now, at this moment, no matter how tough it is in the game, we know how to win, we know how to fight, we know how to dig deep."

One of the closest-fought editions of the southern hemisphere tournament ended in dramatic style with the Springboks winning successive Rugby Championship titles for the first time as they topped the table ahead of New Zealand on points difference, with their 67-30 thrashing of Argentina in Durban key to this latest success.

"I know what we do on the field doesn't change a lot in our country," said Kolisi. "But I know the feeling that it gives people, that South Africa is going to walk tall and people that look at us in the places that we come from, they look at us and say they know that it's possible no matter how tough things are."

The flanker added: "This win is not just for us, but the people of South Africa."

Argentina led 13-3 ahead early in Saturday's match before South Africa scrum-half Cobus Reinach and hooker Malcolm Marx both scored two tries apiece in a match where the Springboks dominance of the scrum – a traditional Argentina strength – proved decisive.

But with South Africa leading 29-13 heading into the final quarter, the Pumas staged an impressive rally, with wing Bautista Delguy scoring his second try of the game.

Three minutes from time, Santiago Carreras' penalty from the half-way line, which would have reduced South Africa's lead to six points, hit the right post in what proved to be a crucial miss.

Carreras' superb cross-kick sent in Argentina replacement Rodrigo Isgro for a last-minute try which the full-back converted in the last act of the game as the Pumas just fell short.

'STAY IN THE PRESENT'

South Africa, already a record four-time world champions, are bidding to become the first side to win three Rugby World Cups in a row at the 2027 edition in Australia.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, however, said: "I think one of our goals is to stay in the present, do well, and not just focus on the World Cup."

But with South Africa deploying close to 50 players during the tournament, Erasmus accepted building squad depth came at a cost.

"I think the character was OK, but tactically there's a lot of things to fix," he said after a match where rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a much harder time than when the fly-half scored a Springbok individual match record 37 points in Durban last week.

"But I think definitely trying to build squad depth played a role in the lack of continuity."

Argentina captain Julian Montoya was proud of his side's improved showing in front of a crowd of over 70 000 dominated by Springbok fans in what was technically a 'home' game for the Pumas, albeit this defeat meant they finished bottom of the table, a point behind Australia.

"Last weekend it was tough," he said. "We weren't proud about that. But today we saw our character and we were better."

The hooker added: "You don't need to be an expert to realise the scrum was our biggest weakness today. But we keep going."

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Siya Kolisi praised the team for the fight they showed to win their final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against the Pumas 29-27 at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, which saw them clinch the trophy in successive seasons for the first time ever, but admitted they had a lot of work to do before a challenging November tour.

The Boks fought their way back from 13-3 down in the 25th minute to take a 15-13 lead shortly after halftime and then had to overcome a strong finish from Argentina in the second half to secure a nail-biting victory.

Erasmus and Kolisi praised the team for the win and thanked the fans for the support, but the Bok coach was honest in his opinion about the performance and said: “I’m satisfied with the result and winning the Castle Lager Rugby Championship back-to-back. This was a massive game for us, and although it was a far from perfect performance, I would prefer to see us learn while we are winning than losing.

“We are still in a good position for the Rugby World Cup draw, but there is no doubt we have five tough matches ahead, and there is a lot of work ahead for us.

“The reality is that Argentina defeated Australia, New Zealand, and the British & Irish Lions, so we’ll celebrate tonight and take that positive from this match.”

Erasmus and his skipper echoed their sentiments all week that it would be a tight battle, with the Bok coach saying: “We knew it would be tough and at halftime you could see the guys were tired, but at the same time Argentina played well.

“They played a loose game, and we got a yellow card in the first half, while there were also a few close calls that could have changed the game. But they definitely showed massive fight and that they can really take things to the gutters.”

Asked what the message was to the team at halftime, Kolisi said: “It was simple, and we all felt the same as the coaches. We needed to play with more unity, make fewer mistakes, and concede fewer penalties.

“But that said, all credit to Argentina. We knew they would come out fighting like that, and we know their mindset, so we knew we had to keep fighting until the end.”

Asked what made this team special, Kolisi said: “We know how to fight as a team and to dig deep, and that’s all thanks to coach Rassie in the way he made us change the way we think.

“This team have done a lot for the country, and I’m proud of the group and the coaches. They always come up with new ideas, and as players, we adapt and accept that.

“This Castle Lager Rugby Championship was tough, and anyone could have won it, so to be able to lift the trophy for the second time in a row is amazing for us and the country, and we are very grateful for all the support from all the fans at the stadium and from our people at home.”

They made it harder for themselves than it should have been but ultimately the Springboks were able to survive a late Argentina fightback to clinch the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title with a 29-27 win at Twickenham.

It was another historic moment for the Boks of this era as it was the first time that South Africa has ever won the SANZAAR international competition back to back.When the All Blacks beat Australia with a bonus point earlier in the day it set up the London game as a decider, with Siya Kolisi’s team needing to win in order to edge ahead of their great rivals.

That they did it in the end only on points differential and not by winning with a bonus point try was down to the Boks becoming a bit loose in the final quarter of an hour and giving the Pumas some room to breathe.

The game was dead and buried when the Boks scored 26 unanswered points, starting with the try just before halftime to man of the match Cobus Reinach, thus enabling the South Africans to narrow what had been a 10 deficit, to go into a 29-13 lead. However, Cheslin Kolbe, like he did in the Durban game last week, gave the Pumas a gift of a try when he threw out a long pass inside his own half that bounced into the hands of Argentina wing Bautista Delguy.

NERVES AND INDISCIPLINE EVIDENT IN FINAL QUARTER

That cut the Bok lead to nine and suddenly there were some nerves, as well as some indiscipline, that crept into the Bok game. Had Argentina’s ace place-kicker Santiago Carreras nailed an easily kickable penalty three minutes from time, the final minutes might have been even more nervy for the Boks as it would have brought Argentina back into scoring range.

As it was though the final Argentina try, which came through Rodrigo Isco running onto a cross kick off the last move of the game, was really just a consolation effort as it came with the Boks leading by nine points and not in a position where they could lose at that point. Still, coach Rassie Erasmus will be right to be concerned by the poor game management that blighted those last minutes for his team.

There might also be some concern at the tendency for the Boks to start off slowly, with the opening half of this match being the fourth first half in a row where the execution was short of where it should have been.

The Pumas started out by being impressive with their ball carrying, and that pressure was compounded when Canan Moodie was yellow carded after just two minutes for an illegal tackle. Playing against 14-men, the Pumas scored a good try to Delguy and they were off to a strong start that would have infused them with confidence.

Indeed, while the Boks dominated the set-scrums, and forced numerous scrum penalties, and just nonchalantly pushed the Argentinians off the ball in the second try of the game, the Boks battled to keep the ball in the first half an hour. A Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty brought the Boks back to within four points after 10 minutes but the next two penalties kicked came from Carreras as the nominal home team built up a 13-3 lead.


ANOTHER CRUCIAL TRY JUST BEFORE THE BREAK

Like the previous week in Durban, however, the Boks scored an important try just short of halftime, with a series of dominant scrums near the Pumas line, with the Boks opting to scrum penalties, leading to Reinach going over for his team’s first five pointer. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion made it 13-10 and the Boks were back in it and looked like they had the momentum.

That momentum continued in the third quarter, which started with another scrum penalty and also a yellow card to Pumas loosehead prop Mayco Vivos for a high tackle. A penalty set up an attacking lineout and from there Malcolm Marx, who should in my book have been at least joint man of the match with Reinach, swivelled over in the corner.
That try put the Boks into the lead for the first time at 15-13 and that grew to 22-13 when Reinach reached out to dot down his second try in the 52nd minute. At that point the Boks were completely dominant, and had scored 19 unanswered points, and that became 26 when Marx dotted down his second as he drove over the line after creating that attacking situation by running onto a Pumas lineout tap back near their line.

At 29-13, a lead of 16 points and just 22 minutes to go, that looked like that was it for the game as a contest. But then came Kolbe’s pass that Delguy seized upon and it set up a much closer end scoreline than what realistically the Bok dominance on the day warranted.

A two-point win looks a narrow squeak, but the reality was that the Boks had it in hand before those final minutes, although had Carreras not hit the post with his final penalty attempt it would have been a nervy end.

SCORES

South Africa 29 - Tries: Cobus Reinach 2 and Malcolm Marx 2; Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3; Penalty: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Argentina 27 - Tries: Bautista Delguy 2 and Rodrigo Isco; Conversions Santiago Carreras 3; Penalties: Santiago Carreras 3.

Argentina have been forced into a late change for their Rugby Championship test against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday as prop Joel Sclavi has withdrawn and will be replaced in the starting XV by Francisco Coria Marchetti.

Sclavi was injured in Friday’s captain’s run, and Tomas Rapetti is now in line to make his Argentina debut off the replacements' bench.

Argentina are out of the running for the Rugby Championship title but South Africa will retain the trophy with a bonus-point victory, while a win without a bonus-point would also likely make the Springboks champions again.

The match kicks off at 13h00 GMT.

UPDATED ARGENTINA TEAM: 15-Santiago Carreras, 14-Bautista Delguy, 13-Justo Piccardo, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Juan Cruz Mallia, 10-Geronimo Prisciantelli, 9-Simon Benitez Cruz, 8-Santiago Grondona, 7-Marcos Kremer, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Pedro Rubiolo, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Francisco Coria Marchetti, 2-Julian Montoya (captain), 1-Mayco Vivas.

REPLACEMENTS: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Boris Wenger, 18-Tomas Rapetti, 19-Franco Molina, 20-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21-Joaquin Oviedo 22-Agustin Moyano, 23-Rodrigo Isgro.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi expects Argentina to show plenty of "fight" at Twickenham on Saturday despite last week's 67-30 mauling as the Springboks chase a second straight Rugby Championship crown.

Kolisi's back-to-back world champions top the table by a single point heading into the sixth and final round of the southern hemisphere championship.

A bonus-point victory against the Pumas in London would guarantee South Africa the title regardless of the result between Australia and New Zealand in Perth earlier on Saturday.

The South Africans will start the match at Twickenham, technically a "home" game for Argentina, as favourites after a dominant display in Durban last weekend.

But this year's tournament has been one of the most exciting and unpredictable since Argentina joined South Africa, New Zealand and Australia in the competition in 2012, with the Pumas defeating both the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

Kolisi, asked Friday what had impressed him most about Argentina, replied: "It's the fight and also, compared to the years before, the discipline they have and how consistent they are in the way they play.

"And they haven't taken away the Argentinian flair at any moment of the game. When it's broken, they take the opportunities.

"I've watched them against New Zealand and against Australia, where they can turn from their own goal-line, the way they can attack you and go score down by the posts. You have to be alert all the time."

The skipper said he admired the professionalism of the Pumas, many of whom play for European clubs, in making light of long flights to play for their country.

"On the field as well, you can just see how connected and how united they are as a team in everything that happens, every place they play," the flanker said.

South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the Springboks faced "a tough day at the office".

"These guys, they like to live off the scraps, they like to live off the loose moments," he added.

Stick said the memory of South Africa's 29-28 loss to the Pumas in Argentina last year was still vivid.

"What happened to us last year in Santiago del Estero, the passage of 20 minutes, where we're just not at our best and they've capitalised and punished us in those 20 minutes and we lost the game," he said.

"So, that's the nature of the Argentine team. On a good day, they can punish you."

 

It's going down to the wire in London on Saturday. Don't miss the #Springboks in action in the 2025 Castle Lager Rugby Championship decider at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham - limited tickets still available here: https://t.co/BgC3O6TAqP 💂#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/6cJRrxa4CJ

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 30, 2025

 

Argentina and those who don’t want to see South Africa make history by going back to back in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship will not have been pleased with the team that Rassie Erasmus announced earlier this week for Saturday’s finale in London.

Bringing what for him is rare continuity in selection can be seen as an indicator that not only does Erasmus feel the side that has won the last two games with plenty to spare and currently has impressive momentum is close to his best team, it also shows how keenly he wants to make history.

If the Boks get over the line as winners of the Championship on Saturday, it will be the first time they have ever gone back to back in the SANZAAR competition - either in its current guise as the Championship or in the Tri-Nations that featured SA, New Zealand and Australia between 1996 and 2012.

There have been some years where the Boks were so dominant that you’d have expected them to back up the following year, such as 1998 when the South Africans won all their games to win their first Tri-Nations under the coaching of Nick Mallett and captaincy of Gary Teichmann, but the following year it went pear-shaped. Ditto the dominant 2009 side, who whitewashed New Zealand but came last in 2010.

The Boks have started to hit a rhythm now, both in this Championship season and generally since the 2019 World Cup triumph and Championship victory, that suggests they are going to be consistently dominant, and if they do what is needed at Twickenham against a Pumas side that would have been shattered by last week’s 37 point defeat, that will be confirmed.

A WIN WILL DO BUT IT MAY NOT EVEN NEED THAT

What is needed? After last week’s bonus point win, and given the Boks’ vastly superior points differential to any other team in the competition, a win will be enough to keep the trophy in South Africa. Their one point lead over New Zealand at the top means that not even a bonus point win for the All Blacks in Perth and just a regulation win for the Boks will tie it up.

We could even see a situation where the Boks start the game in London already crowned as champions. That will be the case of Australia beat the All Blacks but don’t pick up a try scoring bonus point. My money says that will be the case, with Will Skelton back for the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup game and his presence will be huge for the hosts.

Back though to the Twickenham game - South African fans are living in a very different world now to the one they woke up to on the morning after the shock loss to Australia in Johannesburg that started the competition. The momentum picked up in the second half of both big wins in Wellington over the All Blacks and in Durban last week against the Pumas has led to high expectations and it is going to be interesting to see if they can continue that momentum into this final game.

YOU UNDERESTIMATE ARGENTINA AT YOUR PERIL

One thing that is certain is that Argentina should not be underestimated. Let’s not forget that for the first half hour in Durban last week the Pumas were getting the better of the game and it was mostly the confidence and individual brilliance of flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who starts at Twickenham with a huge target on his back and also massive focus on him, that swung the momentum the Bok way.

But what will happen if for once the Boks put together an entire 80 minute performance, meaning they start the game like they finished the last one? Well, Twickenham has seen that kind of complete performance from the Boks before - the 35-7 win over the All Blacks in the buildup to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Don’t bet against it happening again, with the Pumas ceding home ground advantage through their decision to have their home game played in London, where thousands of SA expats reside and will be eagerly hitting the London transport system this week in the direction of Twickenham.

But Argentina have also been good in the past at completing mind-boggling turnarounds. The most recent was when they followed up a comprehensive defeat to the All Blacks in their first game in the competition by winning comfortably the following week. We can even go back to 1982, when a Jaguars team that was the Pumas in all but name under Hugo Porta won in Bloemfontein after conceding more than 50 the week before.

That though was a different era, and this era for the Boks is a golden one, and they are simply too professional to be caught out. So they should achieve their objective even though Argentina’s clever coach Felipe Contepomi clearly has a plan up his sleeve given he has made seven changes from the side that lost in Durban.

A CHANGED UP PUMAS TEAM SIGNIFIES A CHANGED PLAN

Geronimo Prisciantelli gets only his second-ever cap at fly-half, part of a new halfback pairing with Simon Benitez Cruz, who comes in for Gonzalo Garcia, after the latter was taken off last weekend due to a concussion.

Santiago Carreras moves to full-back, while Juan Cruz Mallia makes his way to the left wing to replace Mateo Carreras. Contepomi decided to revert to the lock pair that were part of the winning side in Australia, with Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo getting the nod ahead of Franco Molina and Lucas Paulos.

Joaquin Oviedo makes way for Santiago Grondona at No 8, and the coach has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench to compete with the physicality of the Boks. It could be that the plan has changed, that the Pumas will be going in with a more defensive mindset in an effort to frustrate the South Africans. It might achieve a damage limitation objective but if the Boks are on their game it won’t achieve victory.

Teams

Argentina: Santiago Carreras, Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallia, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Simon Cruz Benitez, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (captain), Mayco Vivas.

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Juan Gonzalez, Joaquín Oviedo, Agustin Moyano, Rodrigo Isgro.

South Africa: Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Kick-off: 15.00

Prediction: Boks by 15 or more.

South Africa are firm favourites to wrap up a second straight Rugby Championship title for the first time when they face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday in a competition with an uncertain future.

This year's tournament has been one of the most exciting and unpredictable since Argentina joined South Africa, New Zealand and Australia in the southern hemisphere competition in 2012.

The Springboks top the table by a single point heading into the sixth and final round of matches this weekend.

A bonus-point victory against the Pumas in London would guarantee the world champions the title regardless of the result in Perth between Australia and New Zealand earlier on Saturday.

The All Blacks can still emerge victorious if results go their way, though South Africa have a huge points-difference advantage. Australia are rank outsiders.

South Africa will go into the match at Twickenham, technically a "home" game for Argentina, buoyed by their 67-30 demolition of the Pumas in Durban last week and expecting plenty of support from a sizeable expatriate community.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus admits his team will be in the fortunate position of knowing what they need to do when they take to the pitch.

But he warned the final score in Durban flattered his men and expects a "big fightback" from Argentina.

"Last week they were in the running to win the title, and they'll be determined to make up for that result, so we are expecting them to throw everything at us on Saturday," he said.

"They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British and Irish Lions this season, and it would be a big target for them to defeat us as well."

Erasmus has made one change to his starting XV, with the fit-again Ox Nche returning at loose-head prop.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stays at fly-half after the 23-year-old scored a Springbok-record 37 points in a match during a sensational display last week.

ALL BLACKS DREAM

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has not given up hope of wrestling the title back from South Africa.

"Get up for the match, doesn't matter who we're playing, where we're playing, so there is an opportunity this weekend," he said.

Australia, for whom James Slipper will be playing his 151st and final test, are desperate to snap a 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks.

"They will be hugely motivated," warned Robertson. "Been a while since they've beaten us, there's a little bit of hype around them, so it's going to be a hell of an occasion."

Despite the compelling drama, there is uncertainty over the future of the Rugby Championship.

Next year New Zealand are set to tour South Africa for a series billed as the "Greatest Rivalry" – the first traditional tour involving rugby union's historic superpowers for three decades.

South Africa are expected to make a return visit four years later.

Complicating the picture, a new Nations Cup is being launched in 2026, bringing together the northern hemisphere teams that make up the Six Nations, the four sides in the Rugby Championship and most likely Japan and Fiji.

The rejig of the international calendar means there is expected to be no official Rugby Championship next year, with doubts over future editions.

Other matches could still take place, such as Bledisloe Cup fixtures between Australia and New Zealand.

Erasmus admitted he was unsure how the dust would settle.

"I know next year is the 'Greatest Rivalry' and the touring of New Zealand," he said.

"I'm not in a board room so I don't know exactly how it will work. We love playing against Argentina and against Australia and I'm not quite sure how that's going to work out."

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi said on Thursday he had full confidence in his inexperienced half-backs for their closing Rugby Championship match against South Africa this weekend.

Scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz will make just his second test start, coming in for the injured Gonzalo Garcia.

Fly-half Geronimo Prisciantelli makes his full Argentina debut as Contepomi reshuffles the Pumas' back-line, with Santiago Carreras moving from fly-half to full-back.

Tomas Albornoz, another outside-half, is unavailable through injury, having been on the bench during last week's heavy loss to the World Cup winners in Durban.

"A nine and 10 left our camp but it's not that we've recalled guys just for this week, they're guys who have been training with us all the time," Contepomi told reporters.

"Some of them played in the other games.

"We feel they have good energy, they are up for the challenge, mentally and physically and technically they're ready for it."

Newcastle's Cruz and Racing 92 player Prisciantelli are two of seven changes for Saturday's game at Twickenham.

Clermont winger Bautista Delguy and Montpellier centre Justo Piccardo are the other alterations among the backs.

Up front, there is a new second-row partnership in Pedro Rubiolo and Guido Petti, while Santiago Grondona is in at No 8.

The game is being played in London as the UAR seeks to capitalise on a large South African and South American presence in the city.

"It's weird to call it a home game in London," former Argentina fly-half Contepomi said.

"Playing at Twickenham, it's one of the best stadiums in the world playing against the world champions.

"There will be a lot of South Africans and there will be Argentines as well, it doesn't matter the numbers, they will be very noisy."

Contepomi's side are unable to win the Rugby Championship but the Springboks are top of the table, a point of ahead of New Zealand, who face Australia in Perth earlier on Saturday.

TEAM (15-1): Santiago Carreras; Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallia; Geronimo Prisciantelli, Simon Benitez Cruz, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera; Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (capt), Mayco Vivas

REPLACEMENTS: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Agustin Moyano, Rodrigo Isgro