Kurt-Lee Arendse is set to make his return to the starting lineup for South Africa in the upcoming Rugby Championship test against Argentina on Saturday, marking one of ten changes to the team. Notably, Eben Etzebeth will start on the bench, and Siya Kolisi has been excluded from the match-day 23.
Arendse was absent during South Africa’s recent 18-12 victory over New Zealand, a win that brought the unbeaten Springboks close to securing their fifth Rugby Championship title and their first since 2019.
If Etzebeth is called off the bench, he will equal Victor Matfield’s record for most test caps for South Africa at 127. Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for a 6-2 split of forwards and backs among the substitutes.
The back three will consist of Arendse, fullback Aphelele Fassi, and wing Makazole Mapimpi, while Lukhanyo Am is stepping into an inside center role to team up with Jesse Kriel in the midfield. Handre Pollard retains his position as flyhalf, partnered by Cobus Reinach at number nine.
Malcolm Marx has been named starter at hooker, supported by props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, with Salmaan Moerat and Ruan Nortje occupying the second row. Jasper Wiese continues at number eight, alongside flankers Marco van Staden and Ben-Jason Dixon.
“We have a bigger picture in mind, which is to build squad depth with an eye on the 2027 World Cup,” Erasmus stated in a release from South African Rugby. He emphasized the importance of exposing younger players to challenging competition in difficult circumstances, noting that they have risen to the occasion.
Erasmus had previously decided to rest seven players for this trip, including Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, and Bongi Mbonambi.
The South Africa team is as follows:
15-Aphelele Fassi, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Lukhanyo Am, 11-Makazole Mapimpi, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Cobus Reinach, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Ben-Jason Dixon, 6-Marco van Staden, 5-Ruan Nortje, 4-Salmaan Moerat, 3-Thomas du Toit, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Ox Nche.
Replacements include: 16-Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-Eben Etzebeth, 20-Elrigh Louw, 21-Kwagga Smith, 22-Jaden Hendrikse, 23-Manie Libbok.