Heavyweight Returns: Erasmus Recalls Kolisi, Etzebeth, And Sacha For Argentina Test

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday named a host of returning stalwarts, including captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg, in a strong 23-man squad to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker, who picked up niggles during the Nations Championship last month, also return in a starting XV showing 13 changes from the side that defeated Wales in the Springboks’ last Test.

Seven players who featured in the 43-0 victory over Wales in Durban retained their places in the matchday 23, although only two – Aphelele Fassi (fullback) and Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf) – remain in the starting line-up.

The other five players – Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese and Gerhard Steenekamp – have been named among the replacements.

The Springboks will field an entirely new forward pack, with Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Thomas du Toit forming the front row. Etzebeth reunites with De Jager in the second row, while Kolisi, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom complete the loose trio.

In the backline, Reinach partners Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, while Esterhuizen links up with Canan Moodie in midfield. Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe and Fassi complete an exciting back three.

“This match is the perfect occasion for players like Siya, Eben, Lood, Sacha, Morne and the other players returning from injury to get a tough Test under their belts and get back into full swing at international level, as Argentina are a formidable team who will push us to the limit,” Erasmus said.

“The guys have been working very hard to return from injury and there is no better test to measure where they are than facing the Pumas in Argentina.

“The other players in the squad also all deserve their places and have been waiting patiently as we tested combinations in the last few matches, and one can sense the excitement in the group to get back onto the field.”

Erasmus expects another fierce contest against Los Pumas.

“The Argentinians are very similar to South Africans in many ways. Their passion and patriotism for their country and people, and the way they give everything on the field and keep fighting, are a testament to the type of Test match we are expecting this weekend.

“They have beaten us twice in Argentina before and delivered brave performances in their Nations Championship matches. They will have a point to prove on Saturday, so we are fully aware of the challenge ahead.”

Erasmus is also excited to see what the blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent can produce against quality opposition.

“This squad includes a bunch of Rugby World Cup winners and extremely talented young players who have been looking forward to playing again for a while, as well as others who have been working hard week in and week out for more opportunities.

“They have all adapted very well to the time zone and shown true grit at training, so we have full faith that they will rise to the occasion.”

Looking ahead to the challenge posed by Los Pumas, Erasmus added:

“They are a quality team with players who compete in several different competitions and countries, and they are well coached under the guidance of Felipe Contepomi. We have to be sharp from the outset, accurate in our execution and convert the chances we create into points if we want to get the desired result.

“They have a strong forward pack and dangerous backs, and they will have a very passionate crowd behind them, so we will have to be at our best to win this match.

“We’ve had to grind out results against them on several occasions in the past, so it will take a proper 80-minute effort this weekend, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

The match will be played at Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires and kicks off at 21:10 (SA time). It will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team to face Argentina in Buenos Aires:

15 Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba) – 17 caps, 35 pts (7t)

14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 25 pts (5t)

13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 25 caps, 45 pts (9t)

12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 30 caps, 25 pts (5t)

11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 9 caps, 10 pts (2t)

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 18 caps, 172 pts (9t, 44c, 13p)

9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 52 caps, 100 pts (20t)

8 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 pts

7 Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 10 pts (2t)

6 Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers) – 103 caps, 70 pts (14t)

5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 73 caps, 25 pts (5t)

4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 141 caps, 45 pts (9t)

3 Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 33 caps, 10 pts (2t)

2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps, 0 pts

1 Boan Venter (Lions) – 9 caps, 5 pts (1t)

Replacements:

16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 10 pts (2t)

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 18 caps, 10 pts (2t)

18 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 5 pts (1t)

19 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 10 caps, 10 pts (2t)

20 Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 0 pts

21 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 35 caps, 20 pts (4t)

22 Morne van den Berg (Lions) – 6 caps, 25 pts (5t)

23 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 86 caps, 830 pts (8t, 129 c, 175 p, 5dg)