Rugby
Springboks make ten changes for Santiago del Estero─── MORGAN PIEK 16:47 Tue, 17 Sep 2024
“This weekend will be equally demanding both physically and mentally, and it excites us as a group. Many of these combinations have played together this season and they all know how tough Argentina can make things for you on the day.”
The Springboks have made ten changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s important Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Santiago del Estero.
The Stormers lock, Salmaan Moerat, who led the Springboks in the historic Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein, returns to the side and he will once again captain the team.
The only players who played in the 18-12 victory against the All Blacks to retain their places are Jesse Kriel, Handré Pollard, Jasper Wiese, Ruan Nortjé, and Ox Nche.
The hooker Malcolm Marx and centre, Lukhanyo Am, who played from the bench in Cape Town have been promoted to the run-on team.
Aphelele Fassi. Photo: Morgan Piek
Kurt-Lee Arendse returns to start on the wing, while Pollard will form the halfback combination with Cobus Reinach.
Upfront, Wiese will form the back row with Marco van Staden and Ben-Jason Dixon. Thomas du Toit joins Marx and Nche in the front row.
The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, said despite all the changes, the team is made up of players who played in the wins against the All Blacks as well as the Wallabies, and he believes they are well suited for what will be a tough challenge.
“This group features players who have played either against New Zealand, Australia, or both, so they have come up against tough opposition in the last few weeks,” said Erasmus.
“This weekend will be equally demanding both physically and mentally, and it excites us as a group.
Elrigh Louw. Photo: Morgan Piek
“Many of these combinations have played together this season and they all know how tough Argentina can make things for you on the day if you do not pitch up sharp and battle-ready.
“It’s also good to have this mix of youth and experience, while at the same time having a squad that boasts the physicality and X-factor that we need against the Pumas, and we are excited to see what the likes of Jan-Hendrik, Manie, Aphelele, and Ben-Jason, among others, will bring to this match.”
Saturday’s Test in Santiago del Estero kicks off at 23:00.
Argentina – TBA
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok
