Argentina team v Springboks: Felipe Contepomi makes bold back-row call while rookie prop debuts
Felipe Contepomi has rewarded the standout loose forward who starts ahead of Juan Martin Gonzalez.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named his team to tackle the Springboks in round five of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa arrive in Santiago del Estero knowing that a victory over the hosts will seal their first Rugby Championship title since 2019.
However, Los Pumas are still in the race as a victory over the world champions could keep them in the running.
With that in mind, Contepomi has freshened up his team following the comprehensive 67-27 thrashing of Australia last time out making three changes to his Argentina starting XV.
Contepomi makes bold back-row call
The big alteration from Contempomi is in the back row as Joaquin Oviedo is rewarded for his brilliance against the Wallabies – where he scored two tries off the bench – as he replaces Juan Martin Gonzalez at number eight.
Gonzalez in turn, drops to the bench with Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer retained as the starting flankers.
In the second row, Pedro Rubiolo and Franco Molina replace Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini as the starting locks with Petti named on the bench as Contempomi opts for a 5-3 split.
The front row is unchanged with Thomas Gallo at loosehead prop, Joel Sclavi at tighthead and Julian Montoya captaining the team from hooker.
After a stunning showing against Australia, Tomas Albornoz is retained as the starting fly-half partnering Gonzalo Bertranou while the centres remain unchanged as Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti combine once again. Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy are the starting wingers with Juan Cruz Mallia at fullback.
On the bench, there is a possible debut for tighthead prop Pedro Delgado following the injury to Eduardo Bello. He provides front-row cover with loosehead prop Ignacio Calles and hooker Ignacio Ruiz.
Petti and Gonzalez complete the forward cover while Santiago Carreras is in line to earn his 50th cap. Gonzalo Garcia and Matias Moroni are the other backline replacements.
Los Pumas team v Springboks
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Gudio Petti, 20 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Matias Moroni
Date: Saturday, 21 September
Venue: Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago
Local kick-off: 18:00
GMT kick-off: 21:00
NZL kick-off: 9:00 (Sunday, 22 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 23:00
RSA kick-off: 23:00
ARG kick-off: 18:00
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matt Carley (RFU), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
