The Rugby Championship title is up for grabs this weekend as the Springboks face Argentina at Twickenham and the Wallabies host the All Blacks in Perth.
South Africa currently lead the standings by just one point and are full of confidence after thrashing Los Pumas 67-30 in Durban last week, with a strong expat crowd expected to add to the fervour in London.
Australia, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a 33-24 loss to New Zealand, who still have an outside shot at the title if they beat their eternal rivals with a bonus point and the Argentines pull off a shock win against the world champions.
Argentina vs South Africa
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has been hit with a raft of injuries in the lead-up to the clash, but he nevertheless expressed confidence in his new-look backline.
“A nine and 10 [Gonzalo García and Tomás Albornoz] left our camp but it’s not that we’ve recalled guys just for this week – they’re guys who have been training with us all the time,” Contepomi told reporters.
“Some of them played in the other games. We feel they have good energy, they are up for the challenge. Mentally and physically and technically, they’re ready for it.”
On Los Pumas playing their allotted home game in London, the former fly-half added: “It’s weird to call it a home game in London. Playing at Twickenham – it’s one of the best stadiums in the world.
“There will be a lot of South Africans and there will be Argentines as well. It doesn’t matter the numbers, they will be very noisy.”
Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus, on the other hand, reiterated his team’s desire for perfection as they go in search of a first-ever Rugby Championship title defence.
“We are all chasing the perfect game and last Saturday [in Durban] wasn’t the perfect game,” he explained to Supersport.
“If you remember, 60 minutes into the game, the game was actually in the balance, but I think the way the set phases and the defence went, eventually guys could use the individual skills in the structure.
“We definitely don’t box them in but different players have different skill sets.”
South Africa | Starting – Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortjé, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché; Replacements – Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel.
Argentina | Starting – Santiago Carreras, Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallia, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Simon Benitez Cruz, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julián Montoya (captain), Mayco Vivas; Replacements – Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Agustin Moyano, Rodrigo Isgro.
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Australia vs New Zealand
Ahead of their final home game of the season, Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt called for a response to last week’s tight but disappointing loss at Eden Park.
“The squad has dusted themselves off from the disappointment in Auckland and they’ve worked away this week in preparation for what’s going to be another torrid Test match against New Zealand on Saturday,” he stated to the media.
“The support has been fantastic this year, especially when playing in Australia, and we’ll be hoping to put in a performance that is worthy of that support in our final home test of 2025.”
With Australia’s most-capped player, James Slipper, retiring after the match at Optus Stadium, home captain Harry Wilson has likewise demanded a spirited performance.
“He’s the ultimate team man and he’s going to be missed because we love him to death,” Slipper said.
“He’s going to empty the tank one final time and that’s what he’s done 150 times for the Wallabies.
“To go out there one final time with Slippy – it’s going to be an honour, and we can’t wait to go out there and put a performance in for him to be proud of.”
New Zealand’s Scott Robertson, for his part, kept it simple in a team statement, saying: “We saw how competitive and determined the Wallabies were in Auckland last weekend, staying in the fight right to the end.
“We expect another tough contest this Saturday. It’s all up for grabs in what has been the most even Rugby Championship we’ve ever seen, and we’re here to cap off this competition with a performance we can be proud of.”
Australia | Starting – Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Filipo Daugunu, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper; Replacements – Josh Nasser, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, James O’Connor, Josh Flook.
New Zealand | Starting – Will Jordan, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams; Replacements – Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Rieko Ioane, Ruben Love.
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