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Springboks Head Coach Allister Coetzee has named his side for Saturday’s Rugby Championship fixture against Argentina. Coming off a 2-1 series win over Ireland the South Africans are looking to step up their game to compete for the Southern Hemisphere’s annual crown.
A handful of changes have been made from the side that defeated Ireland in the third test. Injury to Frans Malherbe hands Julian Redelinghuys his first test start at tighthead, with Lood de Jager fit to resume duties in a super-sized second row alongside Eben Etzebeth. Oupa Mohoje returns to the lineup for the first time in over a year with Warren Whiteley continuing at no8 in the absence of Duane Vermeulen.
Bryan Habana wins his 118th cap on the wing after missing out on the June series, and Racing 92 star Johan Goosen is selected at fullback with Willie le Roux dropped from the team completely. Goosen will also act as reserve flyhalf with Olympic 7s star Juan de Jongh named in the match day squad for the first time since 2012.
The two sides last met in the bronze match at the World Cup in October, with South Africa coming away 24-13 winners. Argentina made history with their first-ever victory over the Springboks in August of last year, winning 37-25 in Durban.
SOUTH AFRICA
1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss (capt.), 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 9 Faf de Klerk, 10 Elton Jantjies, 11 Bryan Habana, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 15 Johan Goosen
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Jesse Kriel
