FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa - August 31, 2024 South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus before the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
(Reuters) - South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled hooker Johan Grobbelaar but left several World Cup winners at home as the Springboks go to Argentina for their potentially decisive Rugby Championship test in Santiago on Sept. 21.
Erasmus said after Saturday's 18-12 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town that took his side to the cusp of a first Rugby Championship title win since 2019, that he would split his squad in two, with a group of players staying in South Africa for the home test with Argentina a week later.
The Springboks lead the standings with 18 points from four games, ahead of second-placed Argentina on 10, and victory will clinch the trophy for the fifth time in their history.
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 (hooker), 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.
"We have been open about our policy to try to give as many players in our wider squad as possible a chance to play against the top teams in the world," Erasmus said.
"We believe playing against Argentina in Santiago, where we are expecting a massive encounter in front of a hostile crowd, will serve as a great test for this group of players.
"The players we decided to rest have really done their bit this season and their bodies deserve a break, so we thought the best for them would be to enjoy a break and spend time with their families."
Erasmus has named only two centres in Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel, but flyhalf Handre Pollard can cover the number 12 jersey and utility back Canan Moodie the number 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.
South Africa squad:
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
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
