Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has kept his Rugby Championship squad mostly intact for the final leg of the tournament, naming a familiar-looking 33-man squad for their upcoming Test matches against a formidable Argentina.
With the Championship headed towards a thrilling conclusion and the title race on a knife edge, Erasmus will be without Lood de Jager (lock), Jean-Luc du Preez (loose forward), and Aphelele Fassi (fullback), who all suffered injuries during the Tour of New Zealand. Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe (both props), Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (utility back) remain ineligible as they continue to recover from injuries.
Nevertheless, Erasmus’ squad has a settled look, and while the Bok mentor lamented the loss of players to injury, he remains optimistic that his team has the firepower to retain the Championship in the coming weeks.
“We are blessed with talent in South Africa, so as sad as we are for players such as Lood, Jean-Luc, Aphelele, Kurt-Lee, and many others, we have capable guys to fill their boots,” said Erasmus in a statement released by SA Rugby on Wednesday.
“We are also fortunate to have so many versatile players who can play multiple positions, and they are equally adept in each of them, regardless of where they are deployed.”
With two rounds remaining in the Championship, Australia sit atop the standings with 11 points, while South Africa and New Zealand are both on 10 points, with the Boks in second due to points difference.
Argentina, meanwhile, are one point behind after victories against Australia and New Zealand earlier in their campaign. They will provide a stern examination of the Boks’ championship credentials, starting in Durban next Saturday and followed by a clash at Twickenham a week later.
“The Pumas are a tough and physical outfit,” said Erasmus.
“They’ll come to South Africa full of confidence after beating Australia 28-26 last weekend, knowing they defeated us in Santiago del Estero last year, as well as the All Blacks earlier in the competition.
“They have quality forwards and backs, and they play with guts and passion. We know it will take two great performances to beat them and hopefully reclaim the Championship title …
“Any team can still win the competition, so there is no margin for error, and every point will count. These are going to be massive battles,” Erasmus concluded.
SPRINGBOK SQUAD TO FACE ARGENTINA
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
