Eben Etzebeth will set the record as the most capped Springbok of all time on in Nelspruit Saturday when he runs out at lock against Argentina, while Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok are paired as starting halfbacks for the first time in the title-deciding match of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at the Mbombela Stadium.
The three are promoted from the bench in a match-23 that shows six personnel changes from the team that went down 29-28 against the same opposition in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.
The Springboks need only a point from the match to guarantee their first Castle Lager Rugby Championship title since the abbreviated version in 2019 and their first full tournament title since 2009, while they will also clinch the title if Argentina win the match without a bonus point based on competition points.
“The match-23 also includes 19 Rugby World Cup winners, which will bode well for the team, while the other players selected have performed under immense pressure in the competition this season and they all deserve their places in the squad. Erasmus praised Libbok for his general play in naming him in the starting line-up: “Manie’s general play is fantastic, and he brings a lot of energy and play-making abilities to the backline. He dictates play well, so we back Manie fully to do the job for us at flyhalf.
With the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title well in sight for the Boks, Erasmus said although there was only one permutation that would deny the Boks the title, their goal was to win the match and finish the competition on high note.
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