Nick Mallett hopes Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be patient against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus has backed the side that thrashed the Pumas 67-30 in Durban, with loosehead prop Ox Nche returning to the starting XV after injury and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, scrumhalf Grant Williams and centre Jesse Kriel recalled to a 5-3 bench.

Depending on the result of Wallabies-All Blacks in Perth, the Boks may need a win in London to clinch back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.

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“It’s a real statement from Rassie,” said Mallett on the Talking Boks podcast. “He often surprises with selections, but sticking with virtually the same team that has played so well the last couple of weeks is a real vote of confidence.

“You’d normally worry about complacency after putting 60 past a team, but this squad and coaching group are desperate to keep improving. We still haven’t had an 80-minute performance where we dominate playing our best rugby.”

On Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who starred in Durban with a Bok record 37-point haul, Mallett urged game management over heroics.

“Having Sacha at 10 again is great for him. It’s very hard to replicate what he did last Saturday – so few errors, such good decisions and the individual tries – that’s unusual.

“This will test his maturity. If the space isn’t for him, can he see it for someone else and use it for the team? That’s what I’ll be watching.”

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“If our pack keeps delivering front-foot ball – Ox strengthens the pack, Jasper Wiese’s carries, Pieter-Steph [du Toit] and Siya [Kolisi] in the loose, and dominance at scrum and lineout – then it’s up to 9 and 10 to make the right calls based on their line speed and where the space is.

“With [attack coach] Tony Brown guiding him, Sacha’s in good hands. And remember: this is not a one-man team.”

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Mallett also backed the Boks’ 5-3 bench split for Twickenham.

“I like the balance. If there are backline issues, we can replace backs with backs rather than leaning on a utility forward in the backline. It also lets you change at 10 so Manie [Libbok] can get minutes, and if needed Sacha can shift to fullback. The forwards off the bench are making a big impact too. It’s just a really good, happy squad fighting hard to win games.”

He expects Los Pumas to tighten up after conceding nine tries in Durban.

“If I were coaching Argentina, the last thing I’d want is another 50 put on us. I’d batten down the hatches: play very direct, win penalties, control territory and lean into the aerial game. Force South Africa to play from deep. That’s how you control the contest against a side like the Boks.”

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As for the venue, he thinks it plays into the world champions’ hands.

“Twickenham won’t feel like a hostile away game in Argentina. There will be a huge South African crowd and we’re comfortable there. It’s a game you’d really expect us to win.

“Prediction? We’ll beat them by 20.”

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images