DURBAN (Reuters) - South Africa will have key forwards back from injury for Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against Argentina, and is including promising standoff Damian Willemse among the replacements for the first time, coach Rassie Erasmus said on Thursday.
Eben Etzebeth, Francois Louw, Malcolm Marx and Warren Whiteley all return to bolster the pack after missing the three tests against England in June because of injury.
Etzebeth has not played any rugby since injuring his shoulder in action for the Springboks in Wales in December, while Whiteley will play for the side for the first time in more than a year after persistent hamstring problems.
Whiteley was captain before his injury, replaced by Etzebeth, who in turn was replaced by Siya Kolisi for the 2-1 series win over England in June. The popularity of Kolisi’s appointment as the first black captain of the team has seen him retained as leader.
Hooker Marx, who was named South Africa's best player last year, missed the England internationals with a hamstring injury but returned soon after to help the Lions reach the Super Rugby final earlier this month.
“Our forward depth is very good indeed and the competition for places in the team is healthy, which can only be a good thing for us as we continue to build the depth of our squad,” said Erasmus.
Most exciting is the inclusion in the matchday 18 of flyhalf Willemse, who turned 20 in May, and is being touted as a future Springbok star after his performances for the Stormers in Super Rugby over the last two seasons.
He is likely to get his first cap as a substitute on Saturday.
The 22-year-old flank Marco van Staden is also in line for a first cap after being named among the replacements.
Team:
15-Willie le Roux, 14-Makazole Mapimpi, 13-Lukhanyo Am, 12-Andre Esterhuizen, 11-Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Warren Whiteley, 7-Siya Kolisi (captain), 6-Francois Louw, 5-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Frans Malherbe, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16-Bongi Mbonambi, 17-Steven Kitshoff, 18-Thomas du Toit, 19-Marvin Orie, 20-Marco van Staden, 21-Embrose Papier, 22-Lionel Mapoe, 23-Damian Willemse.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge and David Holmes)
