Los Pumas switch up for Bok showdown

Head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes and a positional switch to the Argentina starting XV for Saturday’s crunch clash against the Springboks in Nelspruit.

The Pumas won 29-28 in Santiago del Estero last week, and they need a comprehensive bonus-point win – as well as deny the Boks a bonus point – at Mbombela Stadium to win the Rugby Championship for the first time.

Santiago Grondona replaces the injured Marcos Kremer at blindside flanker while fellow loose forward Juan Martin Gonzalez and Pablo Matera trade places on the bench. Lock Pedro Rubiolo shifts to No 4 in a new-look second row with Tomas Lavanini.

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In the backline, scrumhalf Gonzalo Garcia and outside centre Matias Moroni start at No 9 and 13, respectively, while right winger Rodrigo Isgro and fullback Santiago Carreras slot into the last line of defence.

Franco Molina, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Lucio Cinti and Juan Cruz Mallia are set to make an impact off the bench.

Photo: Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images

The post Los Pumas switch up for Bok showdown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes and a positional switch to the Argentina starting XV for Saturday’s crunch clash against the Springboks in Nelspruit.
The post Los Pumas switch up for Bok showdown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More

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