Is Rassie Erasmus finally closing in on his strongest Springboks team?

After years of rotation, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is edging closer to what he believes is his strongest combination. His team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina at Kings Park bears a striking resemblance to the side that dismantled New Zealand 43-10 last weekend.

Erasmus has made three changes, all enforced. Eben Etzebeth replaces the injured Lood de Jager in the second row, Damian de Allende returns at inside centre, and Damian Willemse shifts to fullback to cover for Aphelele Fassi.

“We’ve gone for continuity,” Erasmus said in Durban. “This weekend is a crunch game, as was last week in Wellington — and next week in London will be the same. That’s the pattern for the rest of the year. We’re only halfway through the season.

“When I say our players are close to each other, people think it’s just a nice answer. But rotation has brought them genuinely closer in ability. Some overseas folk think we don’t know our best team — and yes, we’d love to know for sure — but we feel this group gives us the best chance of beating a very good Pumas side in a game that could decide the Rugby Championship.”

It is a mark of respect for Argentina that Erasmus has shelved experimentation.

“The Pumas were excellent against the British & Irish Lions, and in Australia they could have won both games. Felipe Contepomi is from my era; I know him well. He’s built a coaching staff with input from all over the world. Their players are scattered across Europe, and they’re fearless. They’ll back themselves to score tries and stay in the title race.”

Erasmus reminded his players of the Pumas’ shock win at Kings Park in 2015 — their first ever over the Springboks — as well as last year’s victory in Argentina.

“They remind me of where we were in 2018. A year later, we won the World Cup. This is a dangerous Pumas team. They’re improving fast, and we know the threat they pose.”

The coach also underlined how important defending the Rugby Championship crown is to his long-term plans.

“It’s vital. This selection is about Argentina. They’ve got speed, bounce, sevens players, playmakers, plenty of pace. They’re balanced. We believe we have the right mix to counter them.”

Erasmus hinted he may shuffle personnel later in the contest if things go well.

“Manie Libbok was outstanding last week, but he’s on the bench. If it’s going smoothly, we might give him a run, move Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse into the midfield, even shift Andre Esterhuizen into a loose-forward role.”

On his choice of Thomas du Toit ahead of Wilco Louw at tighthead, Erasmus was clear.

“Wilco is one of the best scrummagers in the world, but Thomas gives us mobility across the field. Argentina will bring pace, like New Zealand did. Wilco brings edge when the game slows down. Rightly or wrongly, that’s our thinking.”

Springbok Team

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

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.