Mass changes for Namibia against Argentina

Phil Davies has shaken up his Namibian team as they prepare to face Argentina in Leicester on Sunday. Eleven changes in all from the team that came so close to Georgia, including a new skipper as Jacques Burger has been forced out of his international swansong with concussion. Rohan Kitsoff will step into his place on the flank and assume the leadership role.

The Welwitschias have also lost star no8 Renaldo Bothma who was suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tackle. Leneve Damens takes his place, while Wian Conradie lines up on the flank pushing Tinus du Plessis to the bench in an all-new back row unit. PJ van Lill makes way for Janco Venter at lock, and the new prop duo is Jaco Engels and Aranos Coetzee.

Diminutive scrumhalf Damian Stevens wins only his second test start, while the new centre pairing is Johan Deysel and JC Greyling. Conrad Marais runs out on the left wing, and on the right is Johann Tromp. Reserve prop Johnny Redelinghuys will become the first Namibian player to reach 50 caps when he comes off the bench, coincidentally his last as he has announced his retirement following the tournament.

Namibia has played Argentina on two previous occasions, both during World Cups, and both resulting in similar scorelines. The Pumas won 67-14 in 2003, and 63-3 in 2007.

NAMIBIA
1 Jaco Engels 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld 3 Aranos Coetzee 4 Janco Venter 5 Tjiuee Uanivi 6 Rohan Kitshoff (capt.) 7 Wian Conradie 8 Leneve Damens 9 Damian Stevens 10 Theuns Kotze 11 Conrad Marais 12 Johan Deysel 13 JC Greyling 14 Johann Tromp 15 Chrysander Botha

16 Louis van der Westhuizen 17 Johnny Redelinghuys 18 AJ de Klerk 19 PJ van Lill 20 Tinus du Plessis 21 Russell van Wyk 22 Eugene Jantjies 23 Heinrich Smit