Overview

• Coach Rassie Erasmus sticks with continuity, bringing Eben Etzebeth in for injured Lood de Jager and recalling Damian de Allende as Damian Willemse shifts to fullback after Aphelele Fassi’s injury.
• Bench tweaks include Boan Venter at loosehead, Jan-Hendrik Wessels covering hooker, and Morne van den Berg backing up at scrumhalf in a 5–3 split with hybrid Andre Esterhuizen in reserve.
• Attack coach Tony Brown says the side is still chasing a complete 80-minute performance, highlighting first-half errors in Wellington despite the record 43-10 win over New Zealand.
• The aerial and kicking contest is expected to be decisive, with rain forecast in Durban likely to place a premium on contestable kicks and field position.
• The tight table has Australia on 11 points, South Africa and New Zealand on 10, and Argentina on 9, and the Boks caution that an improved Pumas side—featuring playmaker Tomas Albornoz—has beaten the All Blacks and Wallabies this year.