Matfield returns to lead Springboks in Buenos Aires

The 122 time capped Victor Matfield will return to lead South Africa in this Saturday’s Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture against Argentina at Velez Sarsfeld in Buenos Aires. The 38 year old missed the Durban Rugby Championship test last Saturday due to injury. He replaces Lood de Jager who was one of South Africa’s best performers in the loss.

Additional players named to start this weekend include Zane Kirchner, Lwazi Mvovo, Pat Lambie, Willem Alberts, Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane while Jan Serfontein and Schalk Brits are to be on the bench, making their first match day appearances of the season.

Kirchner replaces the injured Willie le Roux at fullback while Kriel moves back to outside center from the right wing, allowing Mvovo to start. Alberts will come in for Marcell Coetzee who left Kings Park injured. As expected Pat Lambie replaces Handré Pollard at flyhalf while a new-look front row will see Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane looking for better results in the scrum.

The changes see a total of five black or colored players starting at a time when coach Heyneke Meyer has been accused of racism. They are Kirchner, Mvovo, da Allende, Habana and Nyakane.

Following the loss in Durban South Africa fell from second to 5th in the World Rankings. Argentina is ranked 8th and could rise with another win.

South Africa
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (Captain), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Trevor Nyakane

16 Schalk Brits, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Jan Serfontein