Image copyright: Getty Images
2024 Rugby Championship
South Africa v Argentina
Mbombela Stadium
Mbombela, South Africa
Saturday, 28 September 2022
Kick-off is at 17h00
South Africa will be determined to bounce back against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, September 28, in a match that will decide the 2024 Rugby Championship winners.
The Springboks suffered their first defeat of the competition when the Pumas rallied from behind to emerge 29-28 victors in Santiago del Estero on September 21.
Rassie Erasmus' side are still favourites to win the title for the first time since 2019 as they hold a five-point lead over the South Americans at the top of the table.
Erasmus has rung the changes once more after seeing his bid to pull off a first Boks clean sweep in the four-team format fail last weekend.
Eben Etzebeth returns to the starting line-up for what is set to be a special occasion for the lock, who will become South Africa's most-capped player after he equalled the record held by Victor Matfield (127) last time out.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Etzebeth is brought back into the team along with Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Manie Libbok and Jaden Hendrikse.
"We planned to recall the players we rested last week because it allowed us to ensure that we have a group of core players who remained in the South African time zone and who would slot back into the team with ease," said Erasmus.
"They will not only bring fresh legs and vast experience to the team, it also allows us to select a settled team that played most of the matches in the Castle Lager incoming series.
"It's going to be a massive challenge against an Argentinean team that has something special brewing in their set-up and who will give everything to win their first title in the competition, and we selected this team with that in mind."
Argentina are enjoying their best performance in the Rugby Championship since entering the scene in 2012, having also beaten New Zealand and Australia once each this year.
Felipe Contepomi's side will require a herculean effort to claim a historic title as he need to pick up five points in Mbombela while denying the world champions any.
The Pumas have only ever won once on South African soil, which came on 8 August 2015 when they triumphed 37-25 in Durban.
Contepomi admits they committed far too many unforced errors in the first Test against the Boks and he plans to address that for the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
"Beyond the result, which is obviously welcome, the important thing is what we were able to do at times, which is to impose our game," he said.
"At times it came out but we also shot ourselves in the foot, because we gave them an entrance to the game with penalties and unforced errors.
"We have many areas to correct. There are small mistakes that allowed them into the game. It's trying to minimise the ones you can control, the unforced errors. We are going to work on that to continue growing."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 37
Argentina wins - 4
South Africa wins - 32
Draws - 1
Bet on the Boks with Betway
Place a Match Result bet on the Springboks from 20 June to 28 September and if they go up by 7 points, get paid out as a winner, up to R7,000 cash, even if the Boks lose. You'll also be entered to win epic exclusive prizes such as match tickets and jerseys.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.