Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for Saturday’s clash with Argentina and confirmed captain Siya Kolisi will make a return to action.
South Africa are fresh from their first Rugby Championship title in a decade and Erasmus has given players an opportunity to earn a place at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Kolisi, who has been out of action for
three months with injury, will start in the back-row in what will be a ‘cameo
appearance’, while there is a potential debut on the cards for hooker Scarra Ntubeni
who is on the bench.
There are also returns for Wilco Louw,
Marco van Staden and Thomas du Toit, with the former two joining Ntubeni on the
bench while du Toit starts.
Even though the team have won the Rugby
Championship title Erasmus believes that this match will decide what momentum
the Springboks bring to Japan.
“No matter what has happened before this weekend, the momentum we will go to the World Cup with will depend on what happens on Saturday. Some of these players will know they are on the plane but for others, it is make or break – and even if they don’t make the plane there will be six standby roles to be identified. We’ve picked a formidable pack and we saw what the backline did against Australia so I am really excited to see what they can do on Saturday to prove their own case and also show just how strong South African rugby is,” he said.
Although Kolisi is among the starting XV it
is Schalk Brits who will lead out the country on Saturday and in doing so will
become the second oldest Springboks captain as well as making his first start
since 2008.
Erasmus explained that due to Kolisi’s plan
for a ‘cameo appearance’ Brits will take over as captain for this game.
“I’ve asked Siya to empty his tank and go as hard for as long as he can. I’ve told him he might even come off in the first half. He has played less than 50 minutes of Currie Cup rugby in the last 12 weeks but I needed him to have a taste of Test rugby again before we leave for Japan,” he added.
The Springboks will face the Pumas on Saturday
before heading off to Japan for a warm-up game next month against the hosts and
then starting their World Cup campaign, where they are looking to win the Webb
Ellis Cup once more.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
14. Sbu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Jesse Kriel (Bulls)
12. André Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Dillyn Leyds (Western Province)
10. Elton Jantjies (vice-captain – Lions)
9. Cobus Reinach (Northampton)
8. Marcell Coetzee (Ulster)
7. Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse)
6. Siya Kolisi (Western Province)
5. Lood de Jager (Bulls)
4. RG Snyman (Bulls)
3. Vincent Koch (Saracens)
2. Schalk Brits (captain – Bulls)
1. Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
Replacements:
16. Scarra Ntubeni (Western Province)
17. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
18. Wilco Louw (Western Province)
19. Marvin Orie (Lions)
20. Marco van Staden (Bulls)
21. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
22. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks)
23. Frans Steyn (Montpellier)
