FORMER ULSTER NO 8 Duane Vermeulen will lead a new-look Sprinkbok team in their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday in what could be the competition decider depending on the result between New Zealand and Australia in Melbourne.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, who takes over at Leinster after the World Cup, made nine changes to the starting team that went down 35-20 against the All Blacks in Auckland two weeks ago, with the squad featuring a new half-back pairing of fly-half Manie Libbok and scrum-half Grant Williams. This will mark Williams’ first start for the team.
Nienaber also rotated his loose forwards with the trio of Vermeulen and flankers Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden, who started the opening match of the competition against the Wallabies, returning to the run-on team.
The other changes to the pack of forwards were at hooker, where Malcolm Marx takes over from Bongi Mbonambi, and lock, where Marvin Orie comes in for Lood de Jager.
In the back-line, meanwhile, wing Kurt-Lee Arendse – who scored a hat-trick against Australia – will start in place of Makazole Mapimpi, while experienced centre Jesse Kriel will make his first appearance of the season in the midfield alongside vice-captain Damian de Allende.
Nienaber opted for a five-three split on the bench in favour of the forwards, which includes prop Trevor Nyakane, who will provide an impact with Mbonambi, Vincent Koch (prop), Munster’s RG Snyman (lock) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward).
The three backs on the bench are Faf de Klerk (scrum-half), Lukhanyo Am (centre), and the versatile Damian Willemse.
“This is a quality team that will offer us the skills we need against Argentina,” said Nienaber. “It also contains a good balance of experience and youth, which is vital as we build toward the Rugby World Cup.”
Nienaber said the team was resolute on bouncing back from their defeat against the All Blacks and to finish the Rugby Championship on a high note. He warned, however, that his charges had to fire from starting whistle, especially given the massive physical onslaught they expected from Argentina.
“The Pumas showed in their last two games that they can be a force to be reckoned with, so we have to be sharp from the get-go, be accurate in our execution on attack and defence, and use the opportunities we create,” said Nienaber.
South Africa:
Backs:
- 15. Willie le Roux
- 14. Cheslin Kolbe
- 13. Jesse Kriel
- 12. Damian de Allende
- 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 10. Manie Libbok
- 9. Grant Williams
Forwards:
- 1. Steven Kitshoff
- 2. Malcolm Marx
- 3. Frans Malherbe
- 4. Eben Etzebeth
- 5. Marvin Orie
- 6. Marco van Staden
- 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements:
- 16. Bongi Mbonambi
- 17. Trevor Nyakane
- 18. Vincent Koch
- 19. Kwagga Smith
- 20. RG Snyman
- 21. Faf de Klerk
- 22. Lukhanyo Am
- 23. Damian Willemse
