South Africa make 10 changes for clash against Argentina

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to the starting line up for the upcoming fifth round of the Rugby Championship game against Argentina to be played in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.

Siya Kolisi, who sustained a facial injury in the third round clash against the All Blacks will join the coaching group as Salmaan Moerat replaces him as the captain. Moerat comes into the second row replacing Eben Etzebeth. He joins Ruan Nortje.

Aphelele Fassi returns to the full-back replacing Willie Le Roux while Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse are the preferred wingers.

Jesse Kriel retains his place at midfield and is joined by Lukhanyo Am while Handre Pollard continues with the kicking responsibility forming half back partnership with Cobus Reinach.

Marco van Staden takes place of Kolisi in the back row that also has Ben-Jason Dixon and Jasper Wiese while the final three changes sees Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche starting in the front row.

Erasmus has opted a 6-2 combination on the bench with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Etzebeth, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok starting among the replacements.

“It would be amazing to wrap up the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title this weekend, but it won’t be easy, and we have a bigger picture in mind as well, which is to build squad depth with an eye on the 2027 World Cup,” head coach Erasmus said.

“The only way we can do that is to expose the younger players to tough opposition under difficult circumstances, and so far, all of them have risen to that challenge.

“We’re excited about this squad and to see what the younger players can do in pretty tough playing conditions with such a passionate support base in Argentina and also at a new stadium.

“The fact that Los Pumas are still in the running for the title for the first time ever will drive their team and supporters even more. We have no doubt we will be tested to the limit both as a team and the players as individuals, and we are excited to see how they deal the pressures that comes with playing here.”

Springbok XV:

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 (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Reserves: 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