Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made some notable changes to his 28-man squad as they gear up for their upcoming tour to Argentina.
The team will face Los Pumas at Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades in Santiago on Saturday, 21 September, in what will be their penultimate match of the Rugby Championship.
Key Players Rested
In a strategic move, Erasmus has decided to rest seven key players who have been heavily involved in recent games.
This decision is made with an eye on the final round of the competition, which will see the Springboks go up against Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday, 28 September.
Johan Grobbelaar returns to the squad after a successful stint during the Australian leg of the tournament.
He will join Malcolm Marx and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who is versatile enough to also play as a prop, in covering the hooker position.
The players resting for this tour are Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), Damian de Allende (centre), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), and Willie le Roux (fullback).
These players will follow a specialized training program to stay match-fit and be ready to rejoin the squad in Mpumalanga after the Argentina tour.
Springboks Leading the Rugby Championship
Currently, the Springboks lead the Rugby Championship standings with 18 points from four wins out of four games.
Argentina is in second place with 10 points, followed by New Zealand with seven and Australia with four.
To secure their first title since 2019, South Africa needs just three more points from their final two matches.
This potential victory would cap off an impressive season for the Springboks, who have already claimed the Mandela Challenge Plate against Australia and the Freedom Cup against New Zealand.
Erasmus emphasized the importance of this match, saying, “We’re committed to giving as many players as possible the opportunity to compete against the top teams globally.
Playing in Santiago against a passionate crowd will be a real test for this group.”
Focused on Argentina’s Challenge
The Springboks are aware of the formidable challenge Argentina presents, especially after their impressive 67-27 victory over the Wallabies in Santa Fe last week.
Erasmus noted the depth of his squad, highlighting that while only two specialist hookers are named in the squad, there are capable players like Wessels and Marco van Staden who can step in as needed.
“This is a short tour, but we’re confident in the depth of our squad.
Players like Johan Grobbelaar, Manie Libbok, and Jaden Hendrikse will gain valuable experience, and we’re eager to see them in action,” Erasmus said.
Despite the tough competition, Erasmus is optimistic. “We know beating Argentina at home will be challenging, but we trust in the depth and versatility of our squad.
This mix of youth and experience is well-suited for the pressures of this tour.”
The squad will come together in Stellenbosch on Wednesday afternoon to start their preparations and will head to Argentina on Saturday.
The Squad for the Argentina Tour
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
Loose Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Utility Forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks)
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
Utility Back: Canan Moodie (Bulls)
What’s next? Stay tuned as the Springboks aim to continue their winning streak and secure the Rugby Championship title.
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