Erasmus Keeps Faith in Wellington Heroes as Springboks Gear Up for Argentina Clash

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has doubled down on consistency, keeping most of the heroes from last week’s record-breaking win over the All Blacks as the Boks prepare for a fiery Rugby Championship encounter with Argentina at Kings Park on Saturday.

Etzebeth and De Allende Back in Green and Gold

Two heavyweights are back in the starting XV. Eben Etzebeth, the towering lock, and midfield bruiser Damian de Allende return to action after injuries sidelined Lood de Jager and Aphelele Fassi. De Allende’s inclusion at inside centre sees Damian Willemse shift to fullback, restoring balance and familiarity to the backline.

On the bench, there’s a reshuffle too: Boan Venter returns as prop cover, Jan-Hendrik Wessels takes on a unique dual role covering both hooker and prop, and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg steps in for the injured Grant Williams.

Durban Showdown with High Stakes

South Africa head into this clash sitting second on the log with 10 points level with New Zealand but ahead on points difference. Australia currently top the table on 11, while Argentina are close behind in third on nine points. With just a handful of games left, the title race is wide open.

Erasmus has no illusions about the threat the Pumas pose. Under coach Felipe Contepomi, Argentina have beaten New Zealand, Australia, and even the British & Irish Lions in the past year. They arrive in Durban brimming with confidence and a reputation for physical forward play mixed with dangerous running backs.

“They’ve beaten us here before, and they’re ranked sixth in the world for a reason,” Erasmus warned. “We know history counts for nothing this will come down to 80 minutes of hard rugby.”

Local Fans Already Fired Up

The Kings Park faithful are expected to turn out in numbers, with Durban buzzing ahead of the weekend clash. On social media, Springbok fans celebrated Etzebeth’s return with comments like “Bring back the enforcer, time to dominate the line-outs again” and “Willemse at 15 makes total sense balance restored!” Others warned against complacency, reminding the team that the Pumas’ upset win in Durban in 2015 still lingers in the memory.

A Team Built on Experience and Grit

For Erasmus, the squad selection isn’t just about tactics it’s about consistency and momentum. “We were very pleased with how the team performed against the All Blacks. This is the best combination for this specific challenge,” he explained.

With Siya Kolisi leading from the front, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese bringing brute force to the loose trio, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continuing his rise at flyhalf, the Boks are set to field a side that blends youth and experience.

The message from Erasmus is clear: every minute counts, and South Africa will need to be at their absolute best if they want to stay in the hunt for Rugby Championship glory.

{Source: IOL }

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