Paz to join Los Jaguares in South Africa

Joaquín Paz is to join Los Jaguares in South Africa. The Argentine Super Rugby franchise is in final preparations for the second of two warm-up matches with a match coming up this Friday against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Paz is to arrive in South Africa today to link up with the roster. He does so following the loss of Gabriel Ascárate to injury. Paz is a direct replacement for the Tucumán inside center while Tomás Lezana, Tomás Carrió, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Cristian Bartoloni, Ignacio Larrague, and Santiago Iglesias Valdez are to depart the country and will miss the Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs on February 26.

The form of Paz for the Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship has been top shelf. Having started at inside center against both the USA and Chile, Paz has come away with five tries including four this past Saturday in San Juan.

The 22-year-old Córdoba center has been a project player in recent years. Having come through the junior program he has played for the Argentina XV in international competition. Ascárate, meanwhile, has been battling a series of injuries in recent years and is six years older than Paz.

Paz will be free to face the Lions if selected. The roster with Paz has 27 players currently in the country. Both Lucas González Amorosino and Juan Martín Hernández are possibilities to join the squad ahead of the opener against the Cheetahs.