In a last-minute shuffle, Rassie Erasmus elevates Boan Venter to the forefront for the Springboks' impending Rugby Championship showdown with Argentina in Durban. The alteration comes as Ox Nche steps down due to a minor injury, prompting further adjustments to the team's bench composition.
Venter, a formidable player from the Edinburgh squad in the United Rugby Championship, will join the starting XV as the loosehead prop. This shift has led to Marco van Staden, typically an openside flanker, being called up as a substitute hooker, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, initially slated for this role, will now cover as the replacement loosehead prop.
The Springboks' front row will thus feature Venter alongside stalwarts Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Powerhouses Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje will anchor the second row. The flanker positions remain unchanged with captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Jasper Wiese continues at number eight.
In the backs, the experienced Cobus Reinach and novice Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu form the halfback pairing. The centers see Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie teaming up, which shifts Damian Willemse to full-back. He is flanked by wing dynamos Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker.
"Rassie Erasmus is not just a coach for the Springboks, he's a South African god,"
proclaimed rugby legend Sir John Kirwan, reflecting the high esteem in which Erasmus is held.
Erasmus opts for a strategic bench with a five/three split favoring the forwards, featuring Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith alongside Van Staden and Wessels. The backs' replacements are Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok, and Andre Esterhuizen.
With the Rugby Championship tightly contested, all four teams still vie for the title. As it stands, the Wallabies lead with 11 points, closely followed by both the Springboks and All Blacks, with Los Pumas not far behind.
Revised Springboks team to face Argentina: South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen Date: Saturday, September 27 Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Kick-off: 17:
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In a last-minute shuffle, Rassie Erasmus elevates Boan Venter to the forefront for the Springboks' impending Rugby Championship showdown with Argentina in Durban. The alteration comes as Ox Nche steps down due to a minor injury, prompting further adjustments to the team's bench composition.
Venter, a formidable player from the Edinburgh squad in the United Rugby Championship, will join the starting XV as the loosehead prop. This shift has led to Marco van Staden, typically an openside flanker, being called up as a substitute hooker, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, initially slated for this role, will now cover as the replacement loosehead prop.
The Springboks' front row will thus feature Venter alongside stalwarts Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit. Powerhouses Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje will anchor the second row. The flanker positions remain unchanged with captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Jasper Wiese continues at number eight.
In the backs, the experienced Cobus Reinach and novice Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu form the halfback pairing. The centers see Damian de Allende and Canan Moodie teaming up, which shifts Damian Willemse to full-back. He is flanked by wing dynamos Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker.
"Rassie Erasmus is not just a coach for the Springboks, he's a South African god,"
proclaimed rugby legend Sir John Kirwan, reflecting the high esteem in which Erasmus is held.Erasmus opts for a strategic bench with a five/three split favoring the forwards, featuring Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith alongside Van Staden and Wessels. The backs' replacements are Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok, and Andre Esterhuizen.
With the Rugby Championship tightly contested, all four teams still vie for the title. As it stands, the Wallabies lead with 11 points, closely followed by both the Springboks and All Blacks, with Los Pumas not far behind.
Revised Springboks team to face Argentina:
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen
Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17: