Fit-again DHL Western Province star Eben Etzebeth will make his first start of the year when he lines up in the No.4 jersey for the Springboks against Argentina in Salta on Saturday, in South Africa’s second Test of the 2014 Castle Rugby Championship (kick-off 21h40 SA time).
In other news, veteran Juan Smith will complete a remarkable return to international rugby on Saturday – his inclusion at flank is one of three changes to the Bok starting XV this week, with a further four changes on the bench.
Gurthrö Steenkamp (prop) and Etzebeth (lock) will start in the tight five (one of four DHL WP players starting), with Tendai Mtawarira and Bakkies Botha moving to the bench. Flank Marcell Coetzee will join them amongst the replacements after coming in as a late starting substitute for the injured Willem Alberts last weekend.
The final change to the team, which beat Argentina by 13-6 last weekend in Pretoria, is the inclusion of Lwazi Mvovo on the bench.
“We have a couple of options at blindside flank, but we’ve decided that this will be a great opportunity to give Juan a chance,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“If it wasn’t for an injury which kept him out in June, he would’ve played a part in the Castle Lager Incoming Series. He was one of Toulon’s best players after more than two years out of the game and helped them to win two major competitions.
“Apart from experience and leadership, Juan is a superb ball-carrier and also brilliant at the back of the line-outs, where we missed Willem Alberts last week. Our line-outs are an important attacking platform and we need to improve this week – I’m sure Juan will add another dimension.”
On Province man Etzebeth’s return, Meyer added: “It’s also wonderful to have Eben back to full fitness and he’ll slot in at lock without any problems.
“‘Beast’ recently returned from an injury which kept him out for some time and it was decided to rotate him and Gurthrö mainly because of the short turn-around after our travel to Argentina.”
Saturday’s Test will be the Springboks’ first visit to Salta, in the north west of Argentina.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. Although we were happy with the result in Pretoria, we were not happy with the performance and this is an opportunity to show improvement against a tough opponent away from home,” said Meyer.
* Meanwhile, DHL Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok centre, with 82 Tests in this position. He will also extend his own SA record of 45 Rugby Championship games and will captain the Springboks for a 26th time.
The Springbok team to face Argentina in Salta is:
15. Willie le Roux – 16 caps
14. Cornal Hendricks – 4 caps
13. Damian de Allende – 1 cap
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) – 97 caps
11. Bryan Habana – 98 caps
10. Handré Pollard – 3 caps
9. Ruan Pienaar – 77 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen – 20 caps
7. Juan Smith – 69 caps
6. Francois Louw – 31 caps
5. Lood de Jager – 4 caps
4. Eben Etzebeth – 24 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis – 55 caps
2. Bismarck du Plessis (vice-captain) – 61 caps
1. Gurthrö Steenkamp – 51 caps
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss – 35 caps
17. Tendai Mtawarira – 56 caps
18. Frans Malherbe – 3 caps
19. Bakkies Botha – 80 caps
20. Marcell Coetzee – 17 caps
21. Francois Hougaard – 28 caps
22. Morné Steyn – 57 caps
23. Lwazi Mvovo – 9 caps
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television Match Official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
