Rassie Erasmus has named his Springboks squad for the final round of the Rugby Championship when they will face Argentina at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Here are our winners and losers from his selection.

Winners

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

There was no doubt that Feinberg-Mngomezulu would be starting at 10 this week, but that’s what makes him a real winner. At just 23 years of age, the young man from Cape Town has almost solidified his spot as the key playmaker of the most successful international rugby team of all time. That’s a winner in anyone’s book. His performance last weekend has been applauded around the rugby world. Fans, pundits and players alike were in awe of this young man, as he broke the 18-year record for the most individual points scored in a Test match by a Springboks player. 

Cheslin Kolbe

It’s perhaps harsh to say that the great Kolbe is fortunate to keep his spot in the side, but after last week’s mishap behind the posts, he would have nervously awaited the teamsheet this week. Springboks boss Erasmus publicly forgave him this week after he directly assisted Argentina a try following a misguided goal-line drop kick at the weekend. Usually, when the ball is touched down over the try-line, players would pass it to their kickers. On this occasion, however, the winger drop-kicked it to his teammate, causing the ball to become active, before being pounced upon by Santiago Chocobares. Fortunately for the Springboks, it didn’t affect the end result, with Erasmus later commenting: “It was a bit of a brainfart; he did many other things that were great in the game.”

Ox Nche

A late withdrawal last week in Durban after he pulled up with a niggle, but the loosehead is straight back into the starting team. The powerful prop, who famously claimed that salads don’t win scrums, will be integral in ensuring that his side win the forward battle, ensuring that the always dynamic Argentinians are unable to play off the front foot.

Thomas du Toit

It wasn’t the greatest performance last weekend from the Bath prop. He started slowly, giving away three early penalties and allowing Argentina to make an early impact. His day improved as the match continued, but he will have been disappointed with his overall showing when he exited the field in the 45th minute. One bad half doesn’t make a player, however, and the giant prop has plenty of credit in the bank with Rassie. He will want to start faster this week, though.

Canan Moodie

The young star has once again been entrusted with the number 13 shirt over the vastly more experienced players, Jesse Kriel and Andre Esterhuizen. In the middle of this World Cup cycle, this is a huge statement of faith from the Springboks boss as he looks towards the future.

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Losers

Faf de Klerk

There was plenty of excitement surrounding the return of the talismanic De Klerk. He’s got his own sub-section of fans around the globe, and brings as much hype into the Springboks brand off the field as he does on it. Sadly for fans of Faf, they never got to see their man in action during the Rugby Championship, as he’s been overlooked for the final game. At 33 years of age, many will now wonder if he will make another appearance in the green and gold of South Africa.

Handre Pollard

Until very recently, Pollard was the number one choice at fly-half for the Springboks. As reliable as any kicker in the world game, he’s helped lead his side to back-to-back World Cups, and at just 31 years old, he should be in his prime. Sadly for the Bulls player, he’s slipped down the roster with the emergence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Even his long-time sparring partner Manie Libbok appears to have overtaken him in the pecking order. Naturally, Pollard’s experience will likely always guarantee him a spot in the squad. Still, depending on the type of match Erasmus is preparing for, he could end up fighting Libbok for the bench spot in future.

Andre Esterhuizen

A specialist crash ball centre, Esterhuizen has spent much of the past few weeks learning how to play in the forward pack as a hybrid player. He has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the Springboks starting team, but has been considered by the coaching staff to be a great addition from the bench for his versatility around the park. With all that considered, many would have expected to see the giant star’s name glistening on the teamsheet. Sadly for the 31-year-old, no such mention has been made. Instead, Moodie and Kriel have the 13 spot covered, while Rassie leaves the forward pack unusually light, electing for ‘just’ the five heavy replacements.

Boan Venter

The prop famously chose to represent his home country of South Africa, rather than his adopted nation of Scotland, and, although he’s been rewarded with four Springboks caps, he’s struggled to maintain a starting position. Instead, he’s come off the bench on three occasions during this Rugby Championship and has not made the matchday 23 for the crunch match against Argentina.

Marnus van der Merwe

With just 21 minutes of rugby under his belt during the Rugby Championship, it’s hard to argue that he’s had a fair crack at the whip. But with the Springboks front-row being so famously overpowered, it’s difficult to see where his gap will come. He’s only approaching his peak now, so he will not worry about missing out on selection too much, but will need to truly impress in club colours if he is to be considered for selection next time.

Makazole Mapimpi

The veteran wide man is now competing with wingers over a decade younger than him. His time in a Springboks shirt has been nothing short of phenomenal, but it is surely now coming to an end. Come the next World Cup, he will be 37 years old. As a second-row or a fly-half, that can be worked with, but as a winger – someone who relies on speed – that could cause an issue. We may not have been the last of the remarkable Mapimpi in international colours quite yet, but this hero’s end is coming.

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