The only change to the starting XV sees the return of Ox Nché to the front row, replacing Boan Venter. Nché missed last week’s 67-30 drubbing of the Pumas in Durban due to a niggle. Three further changes have been made to the bench. 

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi returns after attending to family commitments, Grant Williams comes back from injury, and Jesse Kriel has also been included.

Bongi Mbonambi. Photo: RWC

In the front row, Nché will pack down alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, while Eben Etzebeth partners Ruan Nortjé in the second row. Captain Siya Kolisi, set to earn his 98th cap, will lead the back row with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.

The backline remains largely unchanged, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu forming the halfback combination. Ethan Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe retain their places on the wings, Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie patrol the midfield, and Damian Willemse starts at fullback once again.

Players who miss out following last week’s big win at Kings Park include Venter, Marco van Staden, Morné van den Berg, and André Esterhuizen.

Erasmus told OFM Sport that maintaining continuity this week was a tough decision, as they would have liked to give players like Handré Pollard a run in London.

“No, it wasn’t easy. We would have liked to make some changes; there are only four in the team, but with just two days of training, it’s tricky,” said Erasmus.

“A guy like Ox missed out last week, Bongi was away with a family illness, Grant was injured, and Jesse was probably a change based on what Argentina brings in terms of backline speed and the way they opened up the game.

Jesse Kriel. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We would have loved to give Handré a chance. Obviously, Franco (Mostert) isn’t here, nor are Faf de Klerk or Makazole Mapimpi. We would have loved to do that, but with just two training sessions, you can’t change too much. 

“That played a big role. We like to think of ourselves as a squad of 40 players and that we can interchange, but with only two days of training, it wasn’t easy.”

A win, ideally with a bonus point, at the Home of English Rugby would see the Springboks claim back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time in history. Saturday’s Test at Twickenham kicks off at 15:00.

Argentina – TBA

Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements – 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh