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Heyneke Meyer has announced the Springbok team for their clash against Argentina in Pretoria this coming weekend.
Exciting news is that Handre Pollard will start ahead of Morne Steyn, who starts from the bench. This means no place for Patrick Lambie. Lambie has been sent back to the Sharks for some game time.
Eben Etzebeth starts from the bench with experienced Bakkies Botha partnering Lood de Jager, who has impressed on debut in June.
The rest of the team looks pretty familiar.
It is a rather bold statement Meyer is making by dropping Morne Steyn to the bench, but ultimately it should be seen as a big positive for South Africa as Morne Steyn has proven rather stale and predictable for most of his career.
The injury to Fourie du Preez means that Pollard will be partnered by Ruan PIenaar, the experience heads of Pienaar on the inside and de Villiers on the outside of Pollard should help to calm him.
Damian de Allende is making his debut at outside centre, which does give the Springbok backline a fresh look.
Whether due to injury or self-exile, there is no Jacque Fourie, JP Pietersen or Frans Steyn in the backline.
Matchday squad
15. Willie le Roux 15 Tests 35 points
14. Cornal Hendricks 3 Tests 10 points
13. Damian de Allende 0 Tests 0 points
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) 96 Tests 125 points
11. Bryan Habana 97 Tests 275 points
10. Handré Pollard 1 Test 13 points
9. Ruan Pienaar 76 Tests 130 points
8. Duane Vermeulen 19 Tests 10 points
7. Willem Alberts 32 Tests 35 points
6. Francois Louw 30 Tests 25 points
5. Lood de Jager 3 Tests 10 points
4. Bakkies Botha 79 Tests 35 points
3. Jannie du Plessis 54 Tests 5 points
2. Bismarck du Plessis (vice-captain) 60 Tests 45 points
1. Tendai Mtawarira 55 Tests 10 points
Substitutes
16. Adriaan Strauss 34 Tests 25 points
17. Trevor Nyakane 4 Tests 5 points
18. Frans Malherbe 2 Tests 0 points
19. Eben Etzebeth 23 Tests 0 points
20. Marcell Coetzee16 Tests 10 points
21. Francois Hougaard 28 Tests 20 points
22. Morné Steyn 56 Tests 660 points
23. Jan Serfontein 12 Tests 5 points
Does this mean we could expect more excitement from the Springbok backline attack?
If you consider the younger group of players such as Pollard, de Allende, le Roux and Cornal Hendricks, it would certainly suggest just that.
It will be important though that Pollard and de Allende come through these first few Tests with flying colours, otherwise Meyer might just revert back to his old stalwarts, something very few would like to see.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.