Rassie rests Du Toit, Mbonambi & 5 other Boks for Argentina clash
The Springboks have named a 28-member squad to play in the Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Santiago on 21 September.
FILE: South African head coach Rassie Erasmus addresses a Springbok rugby press conference to where new coaching staff were announced in Cape Town on 12 March 2024. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The Springboks have named a 28-member squad to play in the Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Santiago on 21 September.
As expected, coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to rest several key players ahead of the return fixture in Nelspruit a week later.
Double World Cup-winning flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and centre Damian de Allende are amongst the seven players who have been spared the taxing journey to South America. Others include Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), and Willie le Roux (fullback).
"The players we decided to rest have really done their bit this season and their bodies deserve a break, so we thought the best for them would be to enjoy a break and spend time with their families before joining us in Nelspruit," said Erasmus.
The Boks have steadily built up their player depth this year and squads this year have shown tremendous ability in matches against Wales, Portugal and Australia. Erasmus is fully confident that the players he’s selected will be up to the task against the Pumas.
"All of the players in the 28-man squad have been in the set-up this year and have proved their worth, so we are delighted to give them an opportunity to face Argentina on their home ground," Erasmus said.
Erasmus is careful not to underestimate their opponents following their record-breaking win against Australia last week and is eager to see what they are capable of.
"Argentina proved last week what a force they can be at home by defeating the Wallabies by 67-27 in Santa Fe, so we know how tough the match will be against them, and this is exactly what we want our players to experience as we continue to build the group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia."
The squad will assemble in Stellenbosch on Wednesday afternoon to begin their preparations for the tour and will depart for Argentina on Saturday.
Springbok squad for Argentina tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx
Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant William
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard
Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi
Utility back: Canan Moodie