1
Cheika makes five changes as Argentina look to upset the Springboks
By Liam Heagney
Michael Cheika has announced an Argentina side to take on South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday that shows five changes to the starting XV from the round two Rugby Championship win over Australia.
The Pumas bounced back from a heavy opening round home defeat to the All Blacks by pipping the Wallabies 34-31 in Sydney with a late score.
Twelve days on from that eye-opening away victory, Cheika has now unveiled an XV to take on the Springboks that has four changes in the backline and another in the pack. The sole alteration to the forwards sees Lucas Paulos promoted from the bench to start at lock in place of the absent Matias Alemanno.
In the backline, Juan Cruz Mallia is at full-back in place of Emiliano Boffelli, and Juan Imhoff is on the left wing instead of Rodrigo Isgro with Mateo Carreras switching over to the right wing.
Santiago Chocobares is also at inside centre in place of Jeronimo de la Fuente, and Lautaro Bazan Velez is at scrum-half with Gonzalo Bertranou dropping to the bench.
Third-place Argentina and South Africa in second go into the Championship finale with one win each from two outings, but the title race could be decided by kick-off time at Emirates Airline Park as the unbeaten leaders New Zealand play winless Australia in Melbourne in the day’s earlier match.
The Springboks named their team on Tuesday, an XV that contained nine changes from the team that lost 20-35 to New Zealand in Auckland.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Pieter-Steph du Toit dismisses All Blacks as Boks' hardest RWC match
3
'Shameful' - Anger as coach accused of damaging Gloucester badge
4
Fissler Confidential: Ulster keen on NZ 10 as Shark departs
5
Latest Comments
When Sth Africa had Joost and Honiball at 9 and 10 they were almost impenetrable in and around the ruck. Even Jonah couldn't make headway in those channels so they were very hard to get in behind. They had a fantastic side who played a fast, rugged style which won them the Tri Nations during that period. That side would beat their current mob of which I have no doubt.
Go to commentsAwesome win by the NZ U20s. They were excellent in the 2nd half with some very patient and accurate phase play, a dominant scrum and decent lineout. Simpson controlled things very well at 10 and it was amazing to see the team maintain their composure and score points when he was in the sin bin for a very harsh yellow card.
Go to comments