RASSIE INTRODUCES FOUR CHANGES

Even though he tried his best, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus had to make four changes for the match against Argentina in London on Saturday.

Erasmus said he would have preferred to keep the winning German side as is, but he had to make other plans.

“No, it was not easy (to keep continuity). We wouldn’t have liked to make four changes in the team. A guy like Ox had missed out last week, and Bongi was away with family illness.”

During the media Q&A session, Erasmus said that only two days of training were challenging.

“Grant was injured, and Jesse was probably a change with what Argentina are bringing in terms of the backline and the speed and the way they really open up the game. We would have loved to give André (Esterhuizen) a chance, and obviously, Franco (Mostert) is not here. We would have loved to do that, but we thought only two days of training, maybe just two training sessions.

Ox Nche is welcomed back after a slight injury, while Bongi Mbonambi, Jesse Kriel and Grant Williams are moved to the bench. Nche’s injury isn’t the only worry that has disappeared, as concerns about both Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker are long forgotten.

Erasmus emphasised how seriously the Springboks are taking Saturday’s match.

“This match is a Final for us, and we know how dangerous Argentina can be, so we selected combinations we feel will be best suited for this game,” said Erasmus.

Image credit: YFM