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Boks make masses changes for Pumas assignment as Nienaber gives everyone a shot at World Cup push
News
1st August, 2023
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News
1st August, 2023
11

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi will lead a new-look South Africa side in their Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, with a potential debut off the bench for prop Gerhard Steenekamp.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made 10 changes for the team’s second match of the season in New Zealand and then nine for the narrow 22-21 Rugby Championship victory against Argentina in Johannesburg last weekend.

He has continued to cast his net wide and manage the minutes of the players with a further 14 changes for Saturday’s test.

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The only one to retain their place is five-eighth Manie Libbok, with regular starter Handre Pollard still working his way back from injury.

Steenekamp, in the squad as cover for the injured Ox Nche, will likely earn his first cap off the bench in the final game before Nienaber names his squad for their World Cup title defence in France next Tuesday.

“We’ve been emphasising the importance of giving as many players as possible a fair chance to show what they can do with an eye on finalising our Rugby World Cup squad,” Nienaber said.

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The Boks scraped a barely deserved win at Ellis Park on Saturday as they withstood intense pressure from Argentina, and will expect a backlash from the home side.

South Africa (v Argentina): Willemse, Moodie, Am, Esterhuizen,  Mapimpi, Libbok, Reinach, Wiese, Mostert, Fourie, Orie, Kleyn, Du Toit, Mbonambi (capt), Nyakane

Replacements: Dweba, Steenekamp, Koch, Du Preez, Roos, Jantjies, Kriel, Arendse.

© AAP

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