South Africa eye back-to-back Rugby Championship crowns
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South Africa's Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scores against Argentina in their 67-30 win in Durban.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – South Africa are firm favourites to seal a second straight Rugby Championship title for the first time when they face Argentina at Twickenham on Oct 4.
The 2025 tournament has been one of the most exciting and unpredictable since Argentina joined South Africa, New Zealand and Australia in the Southern Hemisphere competition in 2012.
The Springboks top the table by a single point heading into the sixth and final round this weekend.
A bonus-point victory against the Pumas in London would guarantee the world champions the title regardless of the result in Perth between Australia and New Zealand earlier on Oct 4.
The All Blacks can still emerge victorious if results go their way, although South Africa have a huge points-difference advantage. Australia are rank outsiders.
South Africa will go into the match at Twickenham buoyed by their 67-30 demolition of the Pumas in Durban last week and expecting plenty of support from a sizeable expatriate community.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus admits his team will be in the fortunate position of knowing what they need to do when they take to the pitch. But he warned the final score in Durban flattered his men and expects a “big fightback” from Argentina.
“Last week they were in the running to win the title and they’ll be determined to make up for that result, so we are expecting them to throw everything at us on Saturday,” he said.
“They may be out of the title race, but they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies, and British and Irish Lions this season, and it would be a big target for them to defeat us as well.”
Erasmus has made one change to his starting XV, with the fit-again Ox Nche returning at loose-head prop. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stays at fly-half after the 23-year-old scored a Springbok-record 37 points in a match during a sensational display on Sept 27.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has not given up hope of wresting the title back from South Africa. “Get up for the match, doesn’t matter who we’re playing, where we’re playing, so there is an opportunity this weekend,” he said.
Australia, for whom James Slipper will be playing his 151st and final Test, are desperate to snap a 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks.
“They will be hugely motivated,” warned Robertson. “Been a while since they’ve beaten us. There’s a little bit of hype around them, so it’s going to be a hell of an occasion.” AFP
