Two-try scoring Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has described the team’s historic feat of winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles as “surreal” and said the achievement had yet to sink in. 

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi remained humble about the prospect of possibly becoming the first Bok team to win back-to-back Rugby Championship titles when they line up against the Pumas in the grand finale of the competition at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, and stressed that the quality of their performance was their main driving force going into the Test. 

Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi shot down the favourites tag as the team prepares to face Argentina in their Rugby Championship decider in London on Saturday and said they expected an arm-wrestle of a match and full-out retaliation from the Pumas.

Springbok centre Damian de Allende and prop Thomas du Toit stressed that the team had put their 67-30 victory against Argentina in Durban behind them and said they expected an enormous battle against the Pumas on Saturday when the Rugby Championship concludes at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. 

The draw for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place on Wednesday, 3 December, and the format for the expanded edition with 24 teams has been unveiled. 

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made four changes to the match-23 for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against the Pumas at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London, which will see the return of Ox Nche to the starting team, as well as Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel and Bongi Mbonambi on the bench.

Experienced lock Lood de Jager will join the Springboks in London on Monday as cover for Franco Mostert, who remained behind in South Africa on Sunday due to a family bereavement, as the side gears up for their closing Rugby Championship encounter against the Pumas at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday.

Springbok utility back Canan Moodie remained humble after the team’s comprehensive 67-30 victory against the Pumas in Durban on Saturday as they left for London on Sunday evening for their closing Rugby Championship match. 

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus celebrated the performance of record-breaking man of the match Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as well as the developing style, but cautioned that much work remained to be done, despite a sumptuous 67-30 victory over Argentina in Durban.