Argentina change seven of team that beat Springboks for rematch
Argentina have changed seven of the team that started a thrilling 29-28 victory over South Africa last weekend for a rematch in the Rugby Championship title decider on Saturday.
One of the alterations was enforced with flanker Marcos Kremer, who plays for French Top 14 club Clermont Auvergne, injured in the triumph over the Rugby World Cup title-holders last Saturday.
Fellow flanker Pablo Matera and lock Franco Molina both shift to the bench with Juan Martin Gonzalez and Tomas Lavanini taking their places. Santiago Grondona comes in for Kremer.
A positional change for the match in South Africa will see lock Pedro Rubiolo shift to the front at line-outs as the Pumas seek home and away wins over South Africa in the same season for the first time.
The backline undergoes a major reshuffle with four changes as full-back Santiago Carreras, wing Rodrigo Isgro, centre Matias Moroni and scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia are promoted.
They replace Juan Cruz Mallia, Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti and Gonzalo Bertranou. Mallia and Cinti have been included in the matchday 23 as replacements.
Explaining the unexpectedly large number of changes, coach Felipe Contepomi told reporters in the northeastern city that "fresh legs were part of the strategy after the travel demands".
"We are confident the new line-up can deliver," added the former fly-half and centre capped 87 times by Argentina. He succeeded Australian Michael Cheika as national coach this year.
Argentina must defeat leaders South Africa by more than seven points and score at least three tries more than their rivals to overtake the Springboks and become champions for the first time.
South Africa have 19 points, Argentina 14, defending champions New Zealand 11 and Australia five ahead of the final round.
In the other southern hemisphere championship fixture on Saturday, the All Blacks host the Wallabies in Wellington.
Team (15-1)
Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Matias Moroni, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Joaquin Oviedo, Santiago Grondona, Juan Martin Gonzalez; Tomas Lavanini, Pedro Rubiolo; Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (capt), Thomas Gallo
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Pedro Delgado, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Lucio Cinti, Juan Cruz Mallia
Coach: Felipe Contepomi (ARG)
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