Dweba debuts as Boks ring changes for Champs opener
With just six days between the end of the British and Irish
Lions series and the start of the Rugby Championship, Jacques Nienaber has
named debutant Joseph Dweba as one of twelve changes for their competition
opener against Argentina.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host both Boks’ test matches against the South American side and hooker Dweba is a player that Nienabwer is excited to see in the test match arena.
“Joseph is hard worker and a mobile hooker, which will be valuable traits against a physical side such as Argentina,” Nienaber said.
“He has shown what he can do for Bordeaux-Bègles and previously for the Toyota Cheetahs, so we are excited to see him make the step-up to this level.”
With the twelve changes to the squad for their competition opener Nienaber means no disrespect to Argentina, but he needs to make sure that he looks after his players given the strain they experienced over the last three weeks.
“It is a long season, so it’s important that we manage the players well and rotate our squad to ensure that everyone gets sufficient game time and rest,” the coach mentioned.
“We have a talented squad, and we are excited to see some of the players get a chance to show what they can do against a tough Argentinean outfit.
“Most of the players in this matchday squad have been with us since our conditioning camp in Bloemfontein in June, and they’ve been working hard at training and deserve this opportunity to take the field.
“This is a big game for us, and we are looking forward to seeing what these player combinations will deliver as we begin our Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign.”
Along with Dweba, Cell C Sharks prop Ox Ntche returns to the starting line-up after missing the second and third test matches against the Lions.
Wilco Louw comes into the starting line-up and Kwagga Smith comes onto the flank as the other change in the forward pack.
There is close to an all-new backline for the Boks with Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel, Sbu Nkosi, Aphelele Fassi and Damien Willemse coming into the starting line-up.
Springboks v Argentina
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Aphelele Fassi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (C), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nché
Replacements
16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Dan du Preez, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Morné Steyn.
