Los Pumas make seven changes for Rugby Champs decider
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has revealed his team to face the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Nelspruit.
Contepomi has made seven changes to his starting XV that beat Rassie Erasmus’ side 29-28 in Santiago del Estero last weekend.
In the pack, Tomas Lavanini comes in for Franco Molino with Pedro Rubiolo shifting to the No.4 lock.
In the back row, Juan Martin Gonzalez takes over the No.6 jersey from Pablo Matera, who drops down to the bench.
Santiago Grondona also gets a start this week as he replaces the injured Marcos Kremer.
In the backline, flyhalf Tomas Albornoz has a new halfback partner in the form of Gonzalo Garcia this week.
Matias Moroni will start at outside centre after playing off the bench in Santiago del Estero.
The other changes are in the back three with Rodrigo Isgro replacing Bautista Delguy on the wing and Santiago Carreras taking over the fullback responsibilities from Juan Cruz Mallia
Argentina: 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.
Date: Saturday, September 28
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 17.00 (12.00 Argentina time; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
