South Africans look to Sasha to secure the Rugby Championship in Decider against the Pumas

The Rugby Championship comes to London this weekend. On Saturday, 04 October 2025, the Springboks will face Argentina again at Allianz, Twickenham Stadium. The game will kick off at 15:00 South African Standard Time (SAST).

Last Saturday, 27 September 2025, South Africa beat Argentina 67-30 in Durban. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored 37 points, including three tries, eight conversions, and two penalties. In a single test, it was the highest points tally ever by a Springbok.

The other South African try scorers were Malcom Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Morné van den Berg, Manie Libbok, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who scored twice.

Argentina scored through Santiago Chocobares, Tomás Albornoz, and a penalty try. Despite the loss, the Pumas showed moments of strong attacking rugby.

Looking toward this weekend’s decider, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made only a few changes to his team for the London test. As reported by SA Rugby, Ox Nche returns, while Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams, and Jesse Kriel are back on the bench.

Erasmus said the squad has earned his trust. “We see this as a final,” he explained, adding that the team must keep their focus because Argentina remains a dangerous opponent.

While the Springboks stuck to minimal changes, Argentina has gone the other way. According to SA Rugby Magazine, head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes to his squad against defending champions South Africa, hoping to bounce back after last week’s defeat in Durban.

Argentina face the challenge of recovering from last week’s heavy defeat while trying to find a way to slow down South Africa’s powerful forwards. With playmaker Tomás Albornoz sidelined by injury, Gerónimo Prisciantelli steps in at fly-half, paired with Simón Benítez Cruz. Santiago Carreras will move to fullback, while Juan Cruz Mallía moves to the left wing, replacing Mateo Carreras. Justo Piccardo starts at outside centre. In the forwards, Contepomi has switched back to the lock pairing of Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo, replacing Franco Molina and Lucas Paulos. Santiago Grondona starts at number eight, with Joaquín Oviedo moved to the bench. Hooker Julián Montoya will captain the side.

Last week’s win at Durban gave South Africa a bonus point and pushed them to the top of the table, sitting on 15 points ahead of New Zealand on 14 points, Australia on 11 points, and Argentina on 9 points. 

In this upcoming match, the Springboks will look to dominate in the scrums, especially with Ox Nche back in the front row. South African supporters, however, have been vocal throughout the week, wanting another spectacular performance from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu this weekend to secure and retain the Rugby Championship in what is one of the most competitive seasons in the existence of the tournament.

For Argentina, the key is to slow down the Springboks’ forwards and unleash their backline without Albornoz pulling strings and Carreras and Piccardo in key roles. Los Pumas will hope to strike from broken play.

The Springboks are favourites after their big win in Durban, but Argentina have shown they can upset the odds. With the Rugby Championship trophy on the line, Saturday’s match at Twickenham Stadium promises high intensity and possibly another historic moment.

Springboks Starting Lineup: Ox Nche, Malcom Marx, Thomas Du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi (Captain), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Damian De Allende, Canan Moodie, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel.

Argentina Starting Lineup (expected): 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Cruz Mallía, 10 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz, 8 Santiago Grondona, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Mayco Vivas

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Juan González, 21 Joaquín Oviedo, 22 Agustín Moyano, 23 Rodrigo Isgró