Battle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: SA vs Los Pumas

Fresh off their series victory over the British & Irish Lions last weekend, the Springboks will busy themselves against Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.  

 

It will be the Boks’ fifth Test match this year after one against Georgia and the trio of Lions challenges. Their victory over Warren Gatland’s men was particularly noteworthy considering their lack of match practice going into the series, proving that this squad – most of whom contributed to World Cup glory in 2019 – is something special. 

 

Springbok Head Coach Jacques Nienaber elected to rest most of those who did duty against the Lions and named a squad with 12 changes to it for Saturday. 

 

It will be an exciting day for the broad and powerful Joseph Dweba who will make his international debut at hooker, as well as for Aphelele Fassi, who debuted against Georgia some weeks ago and showed great promise as a bright star for the future. 

 

Nienaber called on the services of Harlequins prop Wilco Louw who starts at tighthead while Ox Nche has recovered from injury and will resume the loosehead role. 

 

The backline has been completely rejigged and sees and new midfield combination of Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel and Elton Jantjies marshalling things at flyhalf. Jantjies will be fed possession by Cobus Reinach who is the only back retained from last week’s starting line-up. Joining Fassi in the back three will be the powerful S’bu Nkosi and Damian Willemse.  

 

“It is a long season, so it’s important that we manage the players well and rotate our squad to ensure that everyone gets sufficient game time and rest,” Nienaber said. 

 

“We have a talented squad, and we are excited to see some of the players get a chance to show what they can do against a tough Argentinean outfit. 

 

“Most of the players in this matchday squad have been with us since our conditioning camp in Bloemfontein in June, and they’ve been working hard at training and deserve this opportunity to take the field. 

 

“This is a big game for us, and we are looking forward to seeing what these player combinations will deliver as we begin our Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign.” 

 

The Pumas have selected a strong team which is expected to take the game to the Boks on Saturday.  

 

 

Fresh off their series victory over the British & Irish Lions last weekend, the Springboks will busy themselves against Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.  

 

It will be the Boks’ fifth Test match this year after one against Georgia and the trio of Lions challenges. Their victory over Warren Gatland’s men was particularly noteworthy considering their lack of match practice going into the series, proving that this squad – most of whom contributed to World Cup glory in 2019 – is something special. 

 

Springbok Head Coach Jacques Nienaber elected to rest most of those who did duty against the Lions and named a squad with 12 changes to it for Saturday. 

 

It will be an exciting day for the broad and powerful Joseph Dweba who will make his international debut at hooker, as well as for Aphelele Fassi, who debuted against Georgia some weeks ago and showed great promise as a bright star for the future. 

 

Nienaber called on the services of Harlequins prop Wilco Louw who starts at tighthead while Ox Nche has recovered from injury and will resume the loosehead role. 

 

The backline has been completely rejigged and sees and new midfield combination of Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel and Elton Jantjies marshalling things at flyhalf. Jantjies will be fed possession by Cobus Reinach who is the only back retained from last week’s starting line-up. Joining Fassi in the back three will be the powerful S’bu Nkosi and Damian Willemse.  

 

“It is a long season, so it’s important that we manage the players well and rotate our squad to ensure that everyone gets sufficient game time and rest,” Nienaber said. 

 

“We have a talented squad, and we are excited to see some of the players get a chance to show what they can do against a tough Argentinean outfit. 

 

“Most of the players in this matchday squad have been with us since our conditioning camp in Bloemfontein in June, and they’ve been working hard at training and deserve this opportunity to take the field. 

 

“This is a big game for us, and we are looking forward to seeing what these player combinations will deliver as we begin our Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign.” 

 

The Pumas have selected a strong team which is expected to take the game to the Boks on Saturday.  

 

 

 

Springbok winger S’bu Nkosi is expecting a challenge of typical Pumas physicality, one which will not be met with complacency. 

 

“Argentina are a very strong outfit and they deserve all the respect we can give them and we will prepare with that in mind,” Nkosi said. “I expect them to be confident and to come off their line. 

 

“Argentina are a very physical team and I must say they have a good mix of athleticism and power. They are very similar to what we bring to the table, so we are expecting them to confront us physically.  

  

“The battles you fight against Argentina are different to the battles you would fight against the Lions. That is because of the make-up of their team, and we expect them to be confident and to stand their ground.  

  

“But we have made plans of our own. We need to give them respect, because they have slayed a few giants over their past few games. We need to be on point to make sure we don’t throw the short end of the stick.  

  

“The excitement never changes, and it is always pretty exciting for me to be here at all with the Boks. There are a lot of people who are not here but would like to be here.  

  

“As our coach Jacques Nienaber says each week, you have a different responsibility. The way it has gone in the past few weeks, my responsibility has been to prepare the guys.  

  

“That is also exciting because it could be someone else wearing those shoes, but it has been me. So excitement does not change, only the responsibility, and I am looking forward to playing Argentina.” 

 

The Pumas have recently had fixtures against a second-string Welsh side with most of the top names doing duty with the Lions. Match fitness will be a significant factor in the game but expect both outfits to give their all come kick-off.  

 

Fresh off their series victory over the British & Irish Lions last weekend, the Springboks will busy themselves against Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.  

 

It will be the Boks’ fifth Test match this year after one against Georgia and the trio of Lions challenges. Their victory over Warren Gatland’s men was particularly noteworthy considering their lack of match practice going into the series, proving that this squad – most of whom contributed to World Cup glory in 2019 – is something special. 

 

Springbok Head Coach Jacques Nienaber elected to rest most of those who did duty against the Lions and named a squad with 12 changes to it for Saturday. 

 

It will be an exciting day for the broad and powerful Joseph Dweba who will make his international debut at hooker, as well as for Aphelele Fassi, who debuted against Georgia some weeks ago and showed great promise as a bright star for the future. 

 

Nienaber called on the services of Harlequins prop Wilco Louw who starts at tighthead while Ox Nche has recovered from injury and will resume the loosehead role. 

 

The backline has been completely rejigged and sees and new midfield combination of Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel and Elton Jantjies marshalling things at flyhalf. Jantjies will be fed possession by Cobus Reinach who is the only back retained from last week’s starting line-up. Joining Fassi in the back three will be the powerful S’bu Nkosi and Damian Willemse.  

 

“It is a long season, so it’s important that we manage the players well and rotate our squad to ensure that everyone gets sufficient game time and rest,” Nienaber said. 

 

“We have a talented squad, and we are excited to see some of the players get a chance to show what they can do against a tough Argentinean outfit. 

 

“Most of the players in this matchday squad have been with us since our conditioning camp in Bloemfontein in June, and they’ve been working hard at training and deserve this opportunity to take the field. 

 

“This is a big game for us, and we are looking forward to seeing what these player combinations will deliver as we begin our Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign.” 

 

The Pumas have selected a strong team which is expected to take the game to the Boks on Saturday.  

 

 

 

Springbok winger S’bu Nkosi is expecting a challenge of typical Pumas physicality, one which will not be met with complacency. 

 

“Argentina are a very strong outfit and they deserve all the respect we can give them and we will prepare with that in mind,” Nkosi said. “I expect them to be confident and to come off their line. 

 

“Argentina are a very physical team and I must say they have a good mix of athleticism and power. They are very similar to what we bring to the table, so we are expecting them to confront us physically.  

  

“The battles you fight against Argentina are different to the battles you would fight against the Lions. That is because of the make-up of their team, and we expect them to be confident and to stand their ground.  

  

“But we have made plans of our own. We need to give them respect, because they have slayed a few giants over their past few games. We need to be on point to make sure we don’t throw the short end of the stick.  

  

“The excitement never changes, and it is always pretty exciting for me to be here at all with the Boks. There are a lot of people who are not here but would like to be here.  

  

“As our coach Jacques Nienaber says each week, you have a different responsibility. The way it has gone in the past few weeks, my responsibility has been to prepare the guys.  

  

“That is also exciting because it could be someone else wearing those shoes, but it has been me. So excitement does not change, only the responsibility, and I am looking forward to playing Argentina.” 

 

The Pumas have recently had fixtures against a second-string Welsh side with most of the top names doing duty with the Lions. Match fitness will be a significant factor in the game but expect both outfits to give their all come kick-off.  

Springbok winger S’bu Nkosi is expecting a challenge of typical Pumas physicality, one which will not be met with complacency. 

 

“Argentina are a very strong outfit and they deserve all the respect we can give them and we will prepare with that in mind,” Nkosi said. “I expect them to be confident and to come off their line. 

 

“Argentina are a very physical team and I must say they have a good mix of athleticism and power. They are very similar to what we bring to the table, so we are expecting them to confront us physically.  

  

“The battles you fight against Argentina are different to the battles you would fight against the Lions. That is because of the make-up of their team, and we expect them to be confident and to stand their ground.  

  

“But we have made plans of our own. We need to give them respect, because they have slayed a few giants over their past few games. We need to be on point to make sure we don’t throw the short end of the stick.  

  

“The excitement never changes, and it is always pretty exciting for me to be here at all with the Boks. There are a lot of people who are not here but would like to be here.  

  

“As our coach Jacques Nienaber says each week, you have a different responsibility. The way it has gone in the past few weeks, my responsibility has been to prepare the guys.  

  

“That is also exciting because it could be someone else wearing those shoes, but it has been me. So excitement does not change, only the responsibility, and I am looking forward to playing Argentina.” 

 

The Pumas have recently had fixtures against a second-string Welsh side with most of the top names doing duty with the Lions. Match fitness will be a significant factor in the game but expect both outfits to give their all come kick-off.