Springboks squad: Siya Kolisi among five key returnees for Argentina Test
Rassie Erasmus (left) is boosted by the return of Siya Kolisi (right) and four others for their Test v Argentina
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is among five key returnees ahead of their Test against Argentina, with Rassie Erasmus naming his 26-man touring squad.
The Boks skipper, who missed the entire Nations Championship campaign through injury, is joined by Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg in the extended touring party.
Erasmus’ side head to Buenos Aires for a one-off Test against Los Pumas, which is their final hit-out before the Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
Five returnees named in Springboks squad for Argentina
Alongside the key injury returnees, the bulk of the squad is made up of players who had a lighter workload during the Nations Championship, in which they finished with a perfect record of three wins from three Tests.
The touring squad will travel to South America in two groups, and leave South Africa on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Erasmus has opted to leave the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel and Ruan Nortje at home, while Ox Nche and Franco Mostert are sidelined with knocks.
Commenting on his squad, the Boks boss said: “We tried to get the balance right between giving some guys who are returning from injury and who have not had too much game time in our last four matches a valuable run against Argentina, while at the same time managing the players who have played a lot of rugby this year.
“The guys who have recovered from their injuries have been training hard this week and are ready to go, so it will be great for them to get a tough Test match under the belt before we face New Zealand.
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“Several players, meanwhile, have been performing for us week in and week out, so it was important that we manage their workload, while players such as Ox (Nche) and Franco (Mostert) are still on the road to recovery, so next week’s training camp will be useful for them to continue to put in the hard yards and for the injured players to continue their rehabilitation.”
He added: “Argentina are a quality outfit, and we know we will be in for a massive challenge in Buenos Aires, so we are preparing for a physical and gruelling battle over there.
“They are a well-coached team, who have tested us in the last few years, while they have also been competitive in the Nations Championship, so it will be a good test for us as a team.”
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Commenting on the training camp this past week, which wrapped up on Thursday afternoon, Erasmus said: “We had a series of productive sessions throughout the week, and all the players know what we expect of them, so everyone understands the importance of building on our season.”
Springboks 26-man squad for Argentina in full
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Herschel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe
