Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is sticking to his guns in support of Manie Libbok.  The flyhalf is in the starting line-up against Argentina in the crucial final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match in Nelspruit on Saturday.

Eben Etzebeth will also set the record as the most capped Springbok of all time on  on Saturday.  The lock, who is in the starting line-up, will win his 128th cap surpassing the tally of Victor Matfield.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus lauded Etzetbeth for his impressive career milestone and says as a former Springbok himself, he can attest to what a massive achievement 128 caps will be.

“We are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” Erasmus said.

“If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual, and we’ll give everything to make this a special day for him.”

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 only permutation that would see Argentina snatch the title from the Boks is if Los Pumas win with a bonus point and deny the hosts a point, which would see them claim the title based on the fact that they would have had two wins over South Africa.

Springbok team to face Argentina in Nelspruit:

15 – Aphelele Fassi  
 14 – Cheslin Kolbe
 13 – Jesse Kriel
 12 – Damian de Allende  
 11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse
 10 – Manie Libbok
 9 – Jaden Hendrikse 

8 – Jasper Wiese
 7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
 6 – Siya Kolisi (captain)
 5 – Ruan Nortje
 4 – Eben Etzebeth
 3 – Frans Malherbe
 2 – Bongi Mbonambi
 1 – Ox Nche 

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx
 17 – Gerhard Steenekamp
 18 – Vincent Koch
 19 – Elrigh Louw
 20 – Kwagga Smith
 21 – Cobus Reinach
 22 – Handre Pollard
 23 – Lukhanyo Am 

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger