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Jaguares are taking 28 players to South Africa. The Mario Ledesma coached Super Rugby franchise has confirmed the roster for the final two matches of the regular season.
One win from the two matches will confirm Los Jaguares in the play-off’s, a first in franchise history. Should they win against both the Bulls and Sharks then the Argentine franchise will book a home Quarter Final.
The 28-man roster is led by Pablo Matera. He has Tomás Lezana and Nicolás Sánchez as his understudies though Lezana is not guaranteed of a start. This is based on the return of Marcos Kremer who missed out on facing the Stormers this past Saturday.
Also back is Julián Montoya. He has been named to tour South Africa though may not be declared fit. As such Diego Fortuny, who debuted against the Stormers, is also on the roster.
Not included are Daniel Hourcade regulars Tomás Cubelli and Santiago González Iglesias. The former recently returned to play for the Argentina XV though is yet to feature for Los Jaguares at all. Cubelli played previously in Australia for the Brumbies.
González Iglesias has been outside of Ledesma’s plans in 2018. The inside center position has seen Bautista Ezcurra operating as cover for Jerónimo de la Fuente while Ledesma has preferences ahead of González Iglesias for fly half.
Going to South Africa will be Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, officially as the understudy to Nicolás Sánchez. Ledesma has also trained Emiliano Boffelli in the position though he is holding down the starting spot at fullback.
Los Jaguares are to travel to South Africa on Wednesday. They fly from Buenos Aires to Johannesburg via São Paulo. Their first game is in nearby Pretoria against the Bulls on Saturday.
JAGUARES
Forwards: Matías Alemanno, Agustín Creevy, Javier Díaz, Diego Fortuny, Santiago García Botta, Marcos Kremer, Tomás Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Tomás Lezana, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julián Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Juan Pablo Zeiss.
Backs: Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Sebastián Cancelliere, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Bautista Delguy, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Bautista Ezcurra, Martín Landajo, Matías Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Nicolás Sánchez.
