Rassie Erasmus has kept faith with the core that beat Argentina in Durban, confirming only four changes to the match-23 for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against the Pumas at Twickenham in London, with kick-off at 3 PM South African time.

The big shift is Ox Nche’s return to the starting front row alongside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit after a late niggle last week, while Grant Williams, Bongi Mbonambi, and Jesse Kriel rejoin the bench as Erasmus sticks with a five-three split among replacements.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be,” said Erasmus, explaining that he opted for minimal personnel changes after recent performances and because Nche and Williams were already fit if required in Durban.

Continuity threads through the pack, with Eben Etzebeth partnered by Ruan Nortje at lock and Siya Kolisi captaining a loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese. The backline again runs Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, while Ethan Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe are on the wings, Damian de Allende is with Canan Moodie in midfield, and Damian Willemse at fullback. Erasmus warned that Argentina, though out of the title race, have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British and Irish Lions this season, so South Africa must “remain within our structures and play for the full 80 minutes”.

The Boks will know the permutations before kick-off after Australia face New Zealand earlier, but Erasmus’s message is simple. Treat it like a final, trust settled combinations, and secure back-to-back titles.