BOKS SPOILT FOR CHOICE
SCRUMHALF: COETZEE IN FORTUNATE POSITION TO FALL BACK ON HOUGIE Springboks brace themselves for a Pumas backlash.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee believes he is in the fortunate position of being able to fall back on Francois Hougaard’s experience in tomorrow’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Salta.
In the only change to the side who beat Argentina 37-15 in Port Elizabeth last weekend, Hougaard replaces Ross Cronje, who had to stay behind because of an ankle injury, at scrumhalf .
“Francois has played a lot of Test match rugby. His work ethic is second to none and he has been working hard since joining the squad,” said Coetzee.
“The players outside of the match 23 are all knocking on the door and that is a great position to be in.”
Hougaard, who plays for the Worchester Warriors in England and is the only overseas player in the side, comes with a wealth of experience having played in 43 Tests, scoring five tries.
On the bench Rudy Paige comes in as Hougaard’s back-up and will earn his ninth cap should he get on the field.
“Rudy made a good impact in the third Test against France and I expect the same from him this weekend,” Coetzee said.
Should the Springboks score 35 or more points in this Test, they will equal the South African record for most consecutive Tests with a score of 35 or more achieved in 1997.
They won their previous four Tests with scores of 37-14; 37-15; 35-12 (all against France) and 37-15 against Argentina in Port Elizabeth.
The two teams have met twice in Salta before – in 2014, Jean de Villiers’ Springboks clinched a narrow 33-31 win over the Pumas at the high-altitude venue, and last season the Pumas recorded a famous 26-24 win over the South Africans.
Coetzee said the Springboks have to deliver an even better performance in Salta, where a fierce Puma challenge is expected.
“This is going to be a different challenge but I have no doubt the players will benefit and grow from every tough experience,” said Coetzee.