Moerat leads Boks in Argentina mission
09/17/2024 10:10 AM
Salmaan Moerat returns as captain of a Springbok side that features 10 changes to the starting lineup for the penultimate Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.
Moerat (lock) leads a new-look team in a match which would see the Boks claim the Championship title for the first time since 2019, should they avoid defeat by the in-form Pumas.
The five players retaining their starting places from the team that defeated New Zealand in Cape Town 18-12, ten days ago are Ox Nche (prop), Ruan Nortje (lock), Jasper Wiese (No 8), Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Jesse Kriel (centre).
Lukhanyo Am (centre) and Malcolm Marx (hooker) are moved from the bench to a starting position from that match-23, while Eben Etzebeth (lock) goes the other way to join the retained Bomb Squad of Vincent Koch, Gerhard Steenekamp (both props), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith (both loose forwards) and Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf).
Jan-Hendrik Wessels (hooker) and Manie Libbok (utility back) come in to complete a bench once again consisting of six forwards and two backs.
Etzebeth will equal Victor Matfield's Springbok record of 127 Test appearances if he takes the field.
Returning to the starting line-up after previously appearing in the competition are: Aphelele Fassi (fullback), Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi (wings), Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf), Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden (loose forwards) and Thomas du Toit (prop), along with Moerat.
The team features a new-look front row of Nche and Du Toit (props) and Marx, while Moerat will pair up with Nortje in the engine room. Erasmus also named a physical loose trio of Van Staden, Dixon (both flankers) and Wiese, while Reinach and Pollard will dictate play at halfback.
In the backline, Kriel and Am will provide firepower in the midfield, while the back three will see Arendse, Mapimpi and Fassi make their presence felt with their hard running and skilful play.
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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