Pablo Matera back as Pumas make three changes for Bok challenge

Former captain Pablo Matera will return to the Argentina starting XV that will take on South Africa in round five of the Rugby Championship on Saturday at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium.

The flanker started on the bench in the round four victory over Australia at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, but is one of three changes in the pack.

Franco Molina, who started among the substitutes alongside Matera, will also start against Rassie Erasmus’s side, and will form a second-row partnership with Lucas Paulos, who did not feature against the Wallabies.

The second-row unit of Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo that started in the 28-26 victory have moved to the bench for this week’s encounter, alongside flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez.

Fixture

Rugby Championship

South Africa

67 - 30

Full-time

Argentina

All Stats and Data

In order to accommodate two locks on the bench, Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has opted for a 6-2 bench, with Simon Benitez Cruz and Tomas Albornoz being the replacement backs.

After seeing South Africa’s bench dismantle the All Blacks (although many were called upon in the first half) in Wellington in round four, the Pumas’ 6-2 split may be an attempt to nullify the Bomb Squad.

Argentina XV
1. Mayco Vivas
2. Julián Montoya
3. Joel Sclavi
4. Franco Molina
5. Lucas Paulos
6. Pablo Matera
7. Marcos Kremer
8. Joaquín Oviedo
9. Gonzalo García
10. Santiago Carreras
11. Mateo Carreras
12. Santiago Chocobares
13. Lucio Cinti
14. Rodrigo Isgró
15. Juan Cruz Mallía

Replacements
16. Ignacio Ruiz
17. Boris Wenger
18. Francisco Coria Marchetti
19. Guido Petti
20. Pedro Rubiolo
21. Juan Martin Gonzalez
22. Simon Benitez Cruz
23. Tomas Albornoz