Erasmus shuffles his pack for Pumas test

Erasmus shuffles his pack for Pumas test

South Africa are on course to lift the Rugby Championship title for the first time since Argentina joined the competition in 2011 with a bonus-point victory securing top spot.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has selected the same pool of 23 players that claimed a 16 all draw against the All Blacks last week to face the Pumas in Salta.

The only changes to the starting XV come in the starting line up with Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe all dropping to the bench with Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane all being elevated to the starting line up.

Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert continue their partnership in the second row with Kwagga Smith retaining a starting role on the side of the scrum after an impressive showing against New Zealand.

Smith links up with inform flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Duane Vermeulen in the loose trio.


In the backline, Faf de Klerk has recovered from his concussion that forced him off the pitch against the All Blacks and starts with Handre Pollard as the side's halfbacks.

Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am will look to build on their midfield partnership while Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie Le Roux complete the starting line up.


Besides the changes to the front row, the Springbok bench remains largely unchanged with RG Snyman and Francois Louw covering lock and the back row respectively while Herschel Jantjies will look to build on his outstanding start to test rugby.



Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel will be tasked with cover the rest of the backline as Elton Jantjies misses out once again.

Full Springbok team to face Argentina:

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Trevor Nyakane
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
6. Kwagga Smith
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Handre Pollard
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Damian de Allende
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Cheslin Kolbe
15. Willie Le Roux
16. Malcom Marx
17. Steven Kitshoff
18. Frans Malherbe
19. RG Snyman
20. Francois Louw
21. Herschel Jantjies
22. Frans Steyn
23. Jesse Kriel

Facts and Stats:

 

Miscellaneous:

  • The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 555. There are 175 caps in the backline with 380 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 275 caps.
  • The average caps per player in the backline are 25, the forwards 48 while the players on the bench average 34.
  • The average age of the starting fifteen is 28.
  • Eben Etzebeth is the third most capped Springbok lock with his 77 Tests. Victor Matfield (127) and Bakkies Botha (85) are the most capped Springbok locks.
  • Tendai Mtawarira is the most capped Springbok prop with his 109 Test matches.

 

Milestones and Records:

  • The Springboks need 12 points to reach 1 000 points against Argentina. It will only be the third time that South Africa scored 1 000 points against another country – the other two countries being New Zealand and Australia.
  • Handré Pollard needs 17 points to reach 150 career points in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and two points to reach 50 career points against Argentina.
  • Tendai Mtawarira will join Bryan Habana on 53 appearances and the most capped Springboks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

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