Rassie Erasmus has tweaked the Springboks’ match 23 for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Twickenham.

Ox Nche returns to the starting XV after missing last week’s clash in Durban through injury, while Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams and Jesse Kriel are recalled to a bench that again features a 5-3 split.

Nche will scrum down alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit in the front row, while Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje again pair up at lock. Siya Kolisi leads the team from blindside flank in what will be his 98th Test, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the loose trio.

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In the backline, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continue as the halfback pairing, with Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie in midfield, Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker on the wings, and Damian Willemse at fullback.

On the bench, Mbonambi rejoins the front-row cover alongside Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw, with RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith providing lock and loose-forward depth. Williams will back up at scrumhalf, with Manie Libbok and Kriel covering the rest of the backline.

“This match is a final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be,” said Erasmus. “Ox and Grant could have played last week if we really needed them, but Boan [Venter] and Morne [van den Berg] did really well. Jesse was rotated in the last two matches and is raring to go, and Bongi is excited for this opportunity.

“Their experience, combined with the younger players in the team, makes this an exciting squad, which is exactly what we need in a decider.”

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The Boks face a Pumas side with a proven ability to upset rugby’s heavyweights, and Erasmus expects another fierce battle.

“They may be out of the title race, but they’ve beaten the All Blacks and Wallabies this season. They have a powerful pack and hard-running backs, so we need to stay within our structures and deliver for 80 minutes.”

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 (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 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.

Ox Nche is back as Rassie Erasmus makes a few minor tweaks to the #Springboks side for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship decider in London 🐂
Catch all the action live on @SSRugby 👍#ForeverGreenForeverGold

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 30, 2025

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images