Eben Etzebeth set to become most-capped South African player
Eben Etzebeth is set to play his 128th Test for South Africa
©PA
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth is set to become the most capped player for the Springboks as he starts in the final round of the Rugby Championship game against Argentina.
Etzebeth will now play his 128th Test for the Boks as he starts at the second row joining Ruan Nortje while Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi returns to the front row replacing Thomas du Toit and Malcolm Marx respectively.
Siya Kolisi returns to captain the side in the back row that also has Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese. Jaden Hendrikse replaces Cobus Reinach at scrum half while Manni Libbok starts at fly-half at the expense of Handre Pollard, who now moves to the bench.
While Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse return at wings, Damian de Allende joins Jesse Kriel at midfield with the final change coming at fullback as Aphelele Fassi returns.
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever and we want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” Erasmus said.
“If we can win the title it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual.
Erasmus has also entrusted the kicking responsibility with Libbok despite his miss in the previous game against the Pumas which costed them the game.
“Manie’s general play is fantastic and he brings a lot of energy and playmaking abilities to the backline,” Erasmus said.
“He dictates play well, so we back Manie fully to do the job for us at flyhalf.
“It’s not just up to him to find solutions for his goal-kicking; it is something we have to do as a team, and we are working on a plan.”
South Africa XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard , 23 Lukhanyo Am
