Showdown for Rugby Championship expected to be wild ride

NELSPRUIT, South Africa : South Africa meet Argentina for the Rugby Championship crown at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday where a point for the world champions will see them take the title against their fired-up visitors who are seeking a first trophy win.

The showdown is in Nelspruit on the edge of the Kruger National Park where antelope fear big cats.

But for the visit of Argentina’s Pumas, it is the Springboks who will expect to win the battle in the bush despite their 29-28 loss in Santiago del Estero last weekend.

South Africa have recalled several rested regulars and are unlikely to repeat their errors with a more experienced side.

The Springboks need either a point or must deny Argentina five from the game to be crowned Rugby Championship winners for the first time since 2019 and clinch a fifth title overall.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has selected Manie Libbok to start at flyhalf despite a costly missed kick in front of the poles in the dying minutes of last week’s loss and several other displays when his percentage from the tee under pressure has been poor.

Erasmus values Libbok for his creativity with ball in hand and is keen to stick with him as the Springboks expand their style, perhaps relying on scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse or wing Cheslin Kolbe to assist with the kicking duties.

"I’m comfortable kicking for goals," Kolbe told reporters. "I’ve been working on it throughout the season, and the kickers and (attack coach) Tony (Brown) have been giving me tips.

"We have played in a few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team.

"Argentina are a phenomenal side and have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby