Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has stuck with most of the squad that beat New Zealand last weekend, when naming his 33-man squad for their closing two Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches against Argentina in Durban and London.
The squad includes 18 forwards and 15 backline players, and will assemble in Durban today, after they were given a few days off with their families after they return from New Zealand on Sunday night.
Those who have been ruled out due to injuries after the New Zealand tour are Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez and Aphelele Fassi.
“This group of players have been together for over 13 weeks now, and they’ve shown that they are the right players for this big task against the Pumas.
“We’ve chopped and changed our squad a fair bit this season, playing a total of 46 players in our last eight matches, including in the Barbarians match, and by training together almost daily, we are confident that these are the players who can give us the best shot to try to retain the title,” said Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus.
He lamented the absence of injured players, especially Fassi, De Jager, and Du Preez, but however has confidence in the players he announced.
“We are blessed with talent in South Africa, so as sad as we are for players such as Lood, Jean-Luc, Aphelele, Kurt-Lee, and many others, we have capable guys to fill their boots.
“We are also fortunate to have so many versatile players who can play a few different positions, and they are equally adept in each of them, regardless of what position they play,” explained the coach.
Erasmus has cautioned the team against the Pumas, after they shocked the Wallabies on Saturday in Sydney.
“The Pumas are a tough and physical outfit, and they’ll come to South Africa full of confidence after beating Australia 28-26 last weekend and knowing that they beat us in Santiago Del Estero last year, as well as the All Blacks earlier in the competition.
“They have quality forwards and backs, and they play with guts and passion, so we know it will take two great performances to beat them and hopefully reclaim the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title,” warned Erasmus.
The games against Argentina will decide if the Boks retain the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Following last weekend’s rounds, Australia are on 11 points, Springboks are in second place, All Blacks in third place (both on ten points), while the Pumas are fourth with nine points.
The Boks will meet the Pumas at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday 27 September, and at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in London on 4 October.
