Argentina ring the changes for decisive South Africa clash

NELSPRUIT, South Africa :Argentina have made eight changes to their starting XV for their decisive Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Nelspruit on Saturday, including the selection of the assured boot of Santiago Carreras at fullback.

Argentina edged the world champions 29-28 at home last weekend to keep their title hopes alive, but must win at the Mbombela Stadium with a try-scoring bonus-point and deny the Springboks a point to be crowned champions for the first time.

Coach Felipe Contepomi has rung the changes, some enforced through injury, including in the backline.

Aside from Carreras, who will add some prowess off the tee after flyhalf Tomas Albornoz missed some kicks last week, Rodrigo Isgro comes in on the wing, Matias Moroni at outside centre and Gonzalo Garcia at scrumhalf.

There will be an all-new second row of the scrum as Pedro Rubiolo and Tomas Lavanini are at lock, while flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez replaces Pablo Matera in a surprise move as the latter drops to the bench.

Santiago Grondona is also in team on the side of the scrum as a replacement for the injured Marcos Kremer.

"We trust all the players in the squad. It's about trying to get best combinations for each game," Contepomi told a press conference on Thursday.

"With the travelling, it is also necessary get some fresh legs into the side. Now we also have experienced players coming on off the bench," he added.

Argentina ended an eight-game losing streak against the Springboks last weekend, though the latter had rested several of their regular players for the contest in Santiago del Estero.

The Springboks have welcomed those players back as they seek a first southern hemisphere title since 2019 and a fifth overall.

Team: 15-Santiago Carreras, 14-Rodrigo Isgro, 13-Matias Moroni, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Mateo Carreras, 10-Tomas Albornoz, 9-Gonzalo Garcia, 8-Joaquin Oviedo, 7- Santiago Grondona, 6-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Pedro Rubiolo, 3-Joel Sclavi, 2-Julian Montoya (captain), 1-Thomas Gallo

Replacements: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Ignacio Calles, 18-Pedro Delgado, 19-Franco Molina, 20-Pablo Matera, 21-Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22-Lucio Cinti, 23-Juan Cruz Mallia.