Morné Steyn picked on the bench for the second Test against Argentina
After the weak performances of Elton Jantjies lately Allistar Coetzee decided to pick Morné Steyn on the bench as a backup in Saturday's second Test against the Pumas of Argentina.
Vincent Koch will replace the injured Julian Redelinghuys in the only change to the Springboks’ starting fifteen to face Argentina on Saturday in Salta, as Tendai Mtawarira will equal Os du Randt’s record as most-capped prop for South Africa.
Koch, who has three Test caps to his name, comes in for Redelinghuys who has been ruled out of action with a hamstring injury he sustained in the first Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test in Nelspruit on Saturday, won by the Boks by 30-23.
With Koch drafted into the starting line-up, Lourens Adriaanse moves onto the bench to as one of the two replacement props for what could be his second Springbok cap.
Also amongst the replacements, the Springboks have opted for the experienced Morné Steyn, who will give the team an extra kicking-option, in place of Juan de Jongh.
The rest of the Springbok line-up remains unchanged from the one that defeated the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium. In keeping changes to a minimum, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has opted for continuity against a Pumas side that will be lifted by their passionate home support.
“Vincent did very well when he came on as a replacement for Julian in Nelspruit, and he is rewarded with a starting berth, while we believe it would be good to give Lourens an opportunity on the bench at this stage,” said Coetzee.
“We expect them to try and put us under pressure with their tactical kicking. Morné is an experienced player with good kicking attributes, and he will provide an additional kicking cover for us.
“We will continue to build on our cohesion as a team. This is the first away Test for this side and we expect another huge battle against the Pumas,” the coach concluded.
The Springboks will continue with their preparations in Buenos Aires before flying out to Salta on Friday morning.
The Springbok team to face Argentina in Nelspruit: Position/Name/Franchise or Province/Club/ Sringbok caps:
15. Johan Goosen (Racing 92, France) 7 caps, 14. Ruan Combrinck (Emirates Lions) 3 caps, 13. Lionel Mapoe (Emirates Lions) 5 caps, 12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers) 17 caps, 11. Bryan Habana (Toulon, France) 118 caps, 10. Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions) 6 caps, 9. Faf de Klerk (Emirates Lions) 4 caps, 8. Warren Whiteley (Emirates Lions) 7 caps, 7. Oupa Mohoje (Toyota Cheetahs) 9 caps, 6. Francois Louw (Bath, England) 47 caps, 5. Lood de Jager (Toyota Cheetahs) 21 caps, 4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers) 48 caps, 3. Vincent Koch (Steval Pumas/DHL Stormers) 3 caps, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain, Vodacom Bulls) 58 caps, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks) 79 caps, Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) 1 cap, 17. Steven Kitshoff (Bordeaux, France) 2 caps, 18. Lourens Adriaanse (Cell C Sharks) 1 cap, 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers) 12 caps, 20. Jaco Kriel (Emirates Lions) 2 caps, 21. Rudy Paige (Vodacom Bulls) 3 caps, 22. Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France) 61 caps, 23. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls) 13 caps.
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