Springboks Squad v Argentina: Dweba Among 12 Changes For South Africa

Exciting Hooker Joseph Dweba will make his Springbok debut in the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

Understandably, coach Jacques Nienaber named a new-look team after a bruising series against the British and Irish Lions. The inclusion of Dweba at hooker was one of 12 changes to the matchday squad that won the third and final Test in Cape Town last Saturday.

Combined Team (XV) of the British & Irish Lions Series

Nienaber made 10 changes to the starting team, which features a new backline and front row, and two changes on the replacements bench. 

The only players who retained their places in the starting team from the final Test against the British & Irish Lions last weekend were Springbok captain Siya Kolisi (flank), Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager (both locks), Japer Wiese (No 8) and Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf).

Springbok Matchday Squad v Argentina

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 10 caps, 5pts (1t)

14 – Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks) – 11 caps, 40 pts (8t)

13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles, Japan) – 47 caps, 60 pts (12t)

12 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 68 caps, 141 pts (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)

11 – Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks) – 1 cap, 5pts (1t)

10 – Elton Jantjies (vice-captain – Pau, France) – 39 caps, 283 pts (2t, 63c, 49p)

9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier, France) – 16 caps, 35pts (7t)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers, England) – 3 caps, 0 pts

7 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo, Japan) – 10 caps, 5 pts (1t)

6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 54 caps, 30 pts (6t)

5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks, England) – 48 caps, 25 pts (5t)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon, France) – 89 caps, 15 pts (3t)

3 – Wilco Louw (Harlequins, England) – 13 caps, 0 pts

2 – Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux, France) – uncapped

1 – Ox Nché (Cell C Sharks) – 3 caps, 0 pts

Replacements:

16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears, Japan) – 37 caps, 30 pts (6t)

17 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 46 caps, 5 pts (1t)

18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens, England) – 23 caps, 0 pts

19 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 pts

20 – Marco van Staden (Leicester Tigers, England) – 5 caps, 0 pts

21 – Dan du Preez (Sale Sharks, England) – 4 caps, 0 pts

22 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 25 pts (5t)

23 – Morné Steyn (Vodacom Bulls) – 67 caps, 742 points (8t, 102c, 156p, 10d)