The coach of the double world champions, Rassie Erasmus, has chosen to rejuvenate his team to challenge Argentina, this Saturday in Santiago del Estero.
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has chosen to rejuvenate his team to face Argentina this Saturday in Santiago del Estero for the penultimate day of the Rugby Championship. He has made ten changes to his starting XV compared to the last meeting won two weeks ago against New Zealand in Cape Town (18-12).
Only five players were retained: left pillar Ox Nche, second-row Ruan Nortje, number 8 Jasper Wiese, fly-half Handré Pollard and centre Jesse Kriel. And several key players were rested: winger Cheslin Kolbe, full-back Willie Le Roux, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, centre Damian de Allende and flanker Peter-Steph du Toit.
Record in sight for Etzebeth
Noteworthy among the starters are the return of wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi and MHR scrum-half Cobus Reinach. Replacing on a bench with six forwards and two backs, second-row Eben Etzebeth will equal Victor Matfield’s record for selections for the Springboks (127) when he enters the field.
With four wins in four matches, the double world champions, in the event of victory against the Pumas, will be assured of winning the Rugby Championship before the final day of the competition.
South Africa’s starting XV : Fassi – Arendse, Kriel, Am, Mapimpi – Pollard, Reinach – Dixon, Wiese, Van Staden – Nortje, Moerat – T. du Toit, Marx, Nche.
Replacements : Wessels, Steenekamp, Koch, Etzebeth, Louw, Smith, Hendrikse, Libbok.
