Los Jaguares have arrived in South Africa with more rookies. The Argentine Super Rugby side are to play their second two-match tour of South Africa this season. They will do so against the Bulls, and Sharks over the coming two weekends.
Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada was forced into changes. Lost to injury for the tour are fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, and veteran flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Both players will be considered for Los Jaguares’ next home match against the Brumbies on April 27.
In place of Díaz Bonilla Quesada has called-up rookie Domingo Miotti. The 22-year-old is a former Pumita and is also a graduate of the Argentina XV. He joins Juan Cruz Mallía, and Santiago González Iglesias as options to wear the 10 shirt against the Bulls.
Also touring is Francisco Gorrissen. Like Miotti he has been selected following a strong campaign in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) with the Argentina XV. The 24-year-old replaces Leguizamón to join fellow rookie Rodrigo Bruni as an option for flanker.
Up front Quesada is touring with rookie loose head prop Mayco Vivas, and also Lucio Sordoni. The latter joins Miotti, and Gorrissen in being yet to receive game time in Super Rugby.
Meanwhile veteran prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro made his first appearance of the season from the bench against the Chiefs. His inclusion together with Vivas sees no place for either Santiago García Botta, or Juan Pablo Zeiss.
Out of the tour is Matías Alemanno. The official replacement second-rower remains in Argentina recovering from injury. In his absence against the Chiefs Quesada had two flanker on the bench. For the tour to South Africa rookie Jerónimo Ureta may make a first appearance in a Jaguares uniform.
Captain Jerónimo de la Fuente made his return from injury against the Chiefs. With him back Bautista Ezcurra has been left out of the tour. This sees Matías Orlando set to cover inside center if required.
Also touring is rookie Santiago Carreras. The 21-year-old impressed in the ARC and offers options at both wing, and fullback. His call-up has come due to the season-ending injury suffered by Bautista Delguy. Carreras has been preferred to Sebastián Cancelliere who has 9 caps for Argentina.
One rookie who is not touring is Gaspar Baldunciel. He acted as the replacement hooker for Julián Montoya while regular starter, and former captain, Agustín Creevy was injured. Creevy is with the team in South Africa and will play against the Bulls.
JAGUARES
Forwards: Rodrigo Bruni, Agustín Creevy, Francisco Gorrissen, Marcos Kremer, Tomás Lavanini, Tomás Lezana, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julián Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Enrique Pieretto, Lucio Sordoni, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Jerónimo Ureta, Mayco Vivas
Backs: Emiliano Boffelli, Santiago Carreras, Tomás Cubelli, Jerónimo de la Fuente (capt.), Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago González Iglesias, Juan Cruz Mallía, Domingo Miotti, Matías Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Joaquín Tuculet