Springboks rest several players for Argentina Test

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled hooker Johan Grobbelaar but have left several World Cup winning players at home as the Springboks travel to Argentina for their potentially decisive Rugby Championship Test in Santiago next Sunday.

Erasmus had said after their 18-12 win over New Zealand in Cape Town that he would split his squad in two, with a group of players staying in South Africa for their home Test with Argentina a week later.

The Springboks lead the standings with 18 points, while Argentina is in second place with 10 points and a victory will ensure the Springboks fifth title.

Grobbelaar did not play in the back-to-back wins over New Zealand but with Malcolm Marx the only other specialist hooker in the party, is likely to get a run in Argentina.

Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), Damian de Allende (centre), Cheslin Kolbe (wing) and Willie le Roux (fullback) all remain at home to manage their workload.

Erasmus has named only two centres in Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel, but flyhalf Handre Pollard can cover the No.12 jersey and utility back Canan Moodie at No.13.

Manie Libbok, who featured at flyhalf during the Rugby World Cup in France last year but has barely had a look in since with the emergence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, could also get a rare run in the team.

The Springboks will meet Argentina at 9am next Sunday while the Wallabies will face the All Blacks at 5.45pm next Saturday.

South Africa Squad to face Argentina Props: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp. Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx.

Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje. Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese. Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams. Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard. Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel. Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi. Utility back: Canan Moodie

[Source: Rugby.com.au]