Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named an unchanged starting team for his or her must-win Rugby Championship match towards Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, with the coach making solely three adjustments to the replacements.
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Talented younger free ahead Elrigh Louw takes over from Duane Vermeulen on the bench, Faf de Klerk returns as scrumhalf cowl instead of Cobus Reinach, and Andre Esterhuizen will get a run instead of Warrick Gelant within the match, which has been moved to Estadio Libertadores De América.
All Blacks lead the log
With New Zealand on 10 log factors, and the Springboks, Australia and Argentina trailing by just one level every on 9 factors– though Nienaber’s males are presently in second place on the standings attributable to a beneficial factors’ distinction – all 4 groups are below strain to win their remaining matches and ideally with bonus factors to provide themselves the absolute best probability of profitable the title.
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With the Boks coming off a powerful efficiency towards Australia in Sydney of their final match two weeks in the past, the place they registered a convincing 24-8 bonus-point victory, Nienaber opted to retain the starting staff that laid a powerful basis for the win.
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“We were in a fortunate position this week not to have any injuries, which allowed us the luxury of selecting the same starting team that ran out in our last match, and we also feel that this team offers us what we need against a physical Argentina outfit,” stated Nienaber.
“Our first victory in Australia since 2013 gave us a lot of confidence, and I have no doubt that will boost the players’ confidence going into this match, but that said we are expecting a bruising and intense battle against Argentina in front of a hostile crowd, and we have seen in the past how much confidence they draw from their fans at home.”
Nienaber expects ‘hard grind’
Commenting on the adjustments among the many replacements, Nienaber stated: “Our plan from the outset was to provide just a few gamers an opportunity to show what they’ll do and to construct their Test expertise, particularly with the Rugby World Cup a 12 months away, and there’s no higher alternative to take action than in a match which basically quantities to a semi-final for us if we wish to win the match.
“We have fantastic depth within our squad with younger and more experienced players, and it requires a fine balancing act to select a squad that we think will be the best team for each match, while at the same time giving most of the players an opportunity to play.”
Zoning in on the match towards Argentina, Nienaber stated they anticipated a tough grind.
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“It’s always tough to play in Argentina,” stated Nienaber.
“They are a passionate rugby nation, and the Pumas won’t ever give an inch. They additionally draw numerous power from their enthusiastic residence crowd, so we predict an enormous battle.
“They place numerous emphasis on their physicality and their set items, they usually have skillful backs as properly, so they are going to check us in all departments.
“That stated, we’ve got been working arduous on the areas of our sport that we want to enhance on and we had been capable of give the gamers just a few days off to relaxation and clean up mentally final week, which we consider will set us in good stead for the match.
“We know the magnitude of the challenge ahead and that it will take nothing less than our best efforts for the full 80 minutes to register a victory on Saturday.”
Springbok staff to face Argentina in Buenos Aires
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 77 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – 54 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 64 caps, 40 pts (8t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 31 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 22 caps, 14 pts (1t, 3c, 1p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 8 caps, 5 pts (1t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 16 caps, 0 pts
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 57 caps, 10 pts (2t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 69 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 62 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 104 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 52 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 53 caps, 55 pts (11t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 65 caps, 5 pts (1t)