Rugby: Boks swap front row in bid for bonus point win

Tendai "the Beast" Mtawarira will face the Pumas. Photo / Getty Images

South Africa have changed their entire front row as the Springboks seek a bonus point win in Argentina tomorrow that would clinch their first Rugby Championship title.

Props Tendai "the Beast" Mtawarira and Trevor Nyakane and hooker Bongi Mbonambi have been promoted, with Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and hooker Malcolm Marx sent to the reserves.

The changes for the Salta test are the continuation of a rotational system, with Mtawarira, Mbonambi and Nyakane starting in a 35-17 win over Australia in Johannesburg. Kitshoff, Marx and Malherbe began the drawn test away to World Cup trophy-holders New Zealand the following weekend in Wellington.

There are no other alterations to the match-day 23 as the Springboks seek to win a competition that has been dominated by New Zealand with six titles and Australia one.

"This test is a good opportunity for Bongi and Trevor to start next to the Beast, who has a wealth of experience from playing more than 100 tests," said Boks coach Rassie Erasmus.

"We all know about the massively difficult forward threat of Argentina. However, they are also a clever side with skill and pace out wide, so we will have to be alert on defence right until the final whistle."

Pumas veteran Agustin Creevy, meanwhile, returns to the Argentina side for the match.

Creevy missed Argentina's 16-10 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane with a shoulder injury but will slot back into the starting side this weekend. His return pushes Julian Montoya to the bench against South Africa.

Coach Mario Ledesma has rotated his locks, with Matias Alemanno and Marcos Kremer taking the place of Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini, while flanker Javier Ortega Desio returns to the starting side.

In the backs, Emiliano Boffelli will play fullback, pushing Joaquin Tuculet to the bench in the only change to the starting backline.

Argentina v South Africa
Salta, 7.30am tomorrow

- AP