Springboks trust 10 changes vs Pumas are good enough to clinch Rugby Championship
New Zealand’s Sevu Reece left, is to late to prevent South Africa’s Malcom Marx from scoring a try during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Salmaan Moerat will captain a much-changed South Africa side that will try to clinch the Rugby Championship crown against Argentina this weekend in Santiago del Estero.
The Springboks lineup underwent 10 changes on Tuesday after beating New Zealand 18-12 in Cape Town 10 days ago to remain the only unbeaten team.
The only starters to hold their places were prop Ox Nche, lock Ruan Nortje, No. 8 Jasper Wiese, flyhalf Handre Pollard and center Jesse Kriel.
Change was signalled when seven starters were left at home last Saturday to rest up for the tournament-closing match with the Pumas next week in Nelspruit. The rested were front-rowers Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, and backs Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and Willie le Roux. Also, scrumhalf Grant Williams didn’t go because of an arm injury.
Captain Siya Kolisi travelled while delaying fixing a broken nose but has been stood down, also.
There’s a new front row including Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, Moerat joining Nortje in the second row, and new flankers Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden. Cobus Reinach will feed Pollard, Lukhanyo Am has paired with Kriel in midfield, and Makazole Mapimpi, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi fill out a new back three.
Coach Rassie Erasmus also turned over his team against Australia after winning the first test 33-7. He wanted to build squad depth and spread test experience. They won the second 30-12.
“It would be amazing to wrap up the Rugby Championship title this weekend but it won’t be easy, and we have a bigger picture in mind as well, which is to build squad depth with an eye on the 2027 World Cup,” Erasmus said.
“The only way we can do that is to expose the younger players to tough opposition under difficult circumstances, and so far, all of them have risen to that 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, and this weekend will be equally demanding both physically and mentally, and it excites us as a group.”
Lock Eben Etzebeth, on a 6-2 bench, will likely appear on Saturday and equal Victor Matfield’s Springboks test caps record of 127.
Argentina will name its team on Thursday.
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South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Niche. Reserves: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby