Springboks Ready For Argentina Test

It is only a matter of a day before the Springboks get their 2014 Rugby Championship campaign underway when they host a rejuvenated Argentina outfit at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoris on Saturday at 5pm (local time).

While New Zealand starts off as the favorites, Coach Heyneke Meyer has stated that they are entirely focused on Saturday’s match.

Damian de Allende will make his debut for the home side and will play next to Captain Jean de Villiers. De Villiers is one of three returning Boks who played no part in the Castle Lager Incoming Series because of injury. The others are Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth, who have both made the bench.

Junior Springboks captain, Handre Pollard, will get his second Test cap when he lines up between the experienced De Villiers and Ruan Pienaar, while Willem Alberts and Tendai Mtawarira are also back after missing the Scotland Test because of injuries they sustained.

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“It’s great to welcome back Jean, Willem, Beast, Eben and Frans, but I’m also very excited to see what Damian can do after he missed out on making his debut in June because of an injury. Jean and Damian have played together before, albeit not this way around. But Damian has experience of playing outside center from his junior days and he got his break at inside center when he had to step up in Jeans place,” said Coach Heyneke Meyer.

Lood de Jager will fill in the considerable boots of the injured Victor Matfield at lock and will be joined by the experienced Bakkies Botha.

By: Farai Diza