The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has revealed his selection for the upcoming clash with Argentina this Saturday. This match, part of round five of the Rugby Championship, will take place at Kings Park in Durban. The team sees a couple of alterations from the lineup that achieved a dominant victory over the All Blacks.
Lood de Jager and Aphelele Fassi are unavailable for the match against the Argentinian team, now coached by Felipe Contepomi, due to injuries sustained during the first half of their 43-10 triumph in New Zealand. Eben Etzebeth is set to return to his position in the second-row.
Damian de Allende is slated to fill Fassi’s spot in the team, leading to Damian Willemse being repositioned to full-back, a role he takes on after his notable performance against Scott Robertson’s squad.
Fresh off their significant win against the All Blacks in Wellington during round four of the Championship, the Springboks are back in contention to retain their title, currently holding the second position. To achieve this, they must overcome a two-point deficit behind Australia in their two encounters with the Pumas. Simultaneously, the Wallabies are scheduled for two matches against the All Blacks.
Fixture
Rugby Championship
South Africa
Argentina
Erasmus has also implemented two further adjustments to the reserves, who significantly contributed to their victory over the All Blacks. Boan Venter is included as a replacement loosehead prop. Following his stint as a prop in the previous game, Jan-Hendrik Wessels will now serve as a substitute hooker, while Marnus van der Merwe exits the team.
The second change involves the backs, with Morne van den Berg substituting Grant Williams as the reserve scrum-half, maintaining a 5-3 split on the bench. Andre Esterhuizen will continue in his role as a versatile back/forward.
“We were extremely satisfied with how the team stepped up to the challenge against the All Blacks in Wellington. Considering the Pumas’ team and their respective strengths, we are confident that this lineup is the optimal choice for this particular match,” Erasmus commented.
“The composition of this team ensures continuity in selection, while also benefiting from the extensive experience of Eben and Damian de Allende in the starting lineup, both of whom are eager to return to the field.
“On the bench, Jan-Hendrik can effectively cover both prop and hooker positions, allowing Boan another opportunity, alongside Morne.”
Springboks XV
15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 43 caps, 66 points (6t, 9c, 4p, 2dg)
14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 44 caps, 121 points (20t, 3c, 5p)
13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 40 pts (8t)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 91 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 3 caps, 0 points
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 13 caps, 58 points (17c, 8p)
9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 44 caps, 75 pts (15t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 37 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 91 caps, 60 pts (12t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 96 caps, 65 points (13t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 11 caps, 0 pts
4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 136 caps, 35 points (7t)
3 Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 28 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 82 caps, 120 pts (24t)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 45 caps, 0 pts
Replacements
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 Boan Venter (Edinburgh) – 4 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 22 caps, 0 pts
19 RG Snyman (Leinster) – 44 caps, 15 points (3t)
20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 57 caps, 55 points (11t)
21 Morne van den Berg (Lions) – 3 caps, 10 points (2t)
22 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 22 caps, 128 pts (1t, 42c, 13p)
23 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 23 caps, 10 pts (2t)
