Tue 25 Jul 2023 | 10:28

Springboks make sweeping changes for final round of the Rugby Championship

South Africa have announced their team to face Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park this weekend.

Experienced number eight Duane Vermeulen captains the side for the second time this season.

Once again, head coach Jacques Nienaber and Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus have opted to rotate their squad.

Starting with Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe in the front row will see Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane and Vincent Koch offer cover from the bench.

In the secondrow, former Tygerberg High School teammates Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie link up.

Completing the pack, bruiser Marco van Staden joins former World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Vermeulen in the backrow.

Pulling the strings in the halfbacks is the dynamic duo of Grant Williams and Manie Libbok.

In the centres, Damian De Allende and Jessie Kriel renew their partnership with Lukhanyo Am dropping to the bench.

In perhaps the most exciting development, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe occupy the wings alongside Willie Le Roux in what on paper is an electric back-three.

In full the bench will see Mbonambi, Nyakane, Koch joined by Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman as forward cover.

Securing the backline cover are Faf De Klerk, Lukhanyo Am and Damian Willemse.