ARGENTINA v SOUTH AFRICA | MY TEAM SELECTIONS

One week away from the first test in a two match series between Argentina and South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship competition.
This Round 5 fixture will be played in Santiago, Argentina and perhaps it will be Los Pumas best chance of beating the World Champions in front of their home fans.
In this episode of Inside Rugby I go through my choices for both teams and give some of the reasons. Let me know who you would choose and what I missed out.
As a retired Kiwi living in Mexico I am just trying to play a small role in helping the great game to grow across the world.
You can help in the following ways.
1. Subscribe to the channel.
2. Give the video a like.
3. Leave a respectable comment.
4. Contribute via Super Thanks
5. Join me on X ( Twitter)
Thank you and enjoy your rugby.
#southafrica #springboks #argentina

[@bjornvonduring5967]

If possible give the two Currie Cup Semi finals that happened today...Wow. FREAKISHLY entertaining Matches and a wonderful exhibition for Rugby

[@Balance-v8x]

Freakishly good talent coming through which is looking great for South Africa's rugby future. Coaching quality is critical though - if he hasn't done so yet, maybe Rassie needs to start a coaching academy so he can build succession planning.

[@klagoshaya5517]

@@Balance-v8x I reckon if senior players like Vermeulen, etc remain in the mix it’s a good thing, those ageist Boks in their early thirties should try to keep the culture going. The mentality and mindset. There is so much talent that needs to be harnessed and directed correctly

[@marsof46]

I would bet a few chips on Rodrigo Isgró for his athleticism to counter South Africa's aerial game.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK, lets see

[@JesusChrististheway1010]

On a good day Argentina can beat any team they've really grown and got a lot better . Our Springboks must just do their best, right now our Springboks are really powerful they must just play smart.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@JesusChrististheway1010 thank you for the comment

[@sv6g3sa64]

SA Match day 23: 1. Jan-Hendrick Wessels 2. Johan Grobbelaar 3. Thomas du Toit 4. Salmaan Moerat 5. Ruan Nortje 6. Marco van Staden 7. Ben-Jason Dixon 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Jaden Hendrickse 10. Manie Libbok 11. Makezola Mapimpi 12. Lukhanyo Am 13. Canan Moodie 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 15. Aphelele Fassi Substitutes: 16. Gerhard Steenekamp 17. Vincent Koch 18. Eben Etzebeth 19. Kwagga Smith 20. Elrigh Louw 21. Cobus Reinach 22. Handre Pollard 23. Jesse Kriel With Jan-Hendrick Wessels moving to hooker in the 2nd half Cheers! #Go Bokke!!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@sv6g3sa64 thanks for your predictions

[@squashoe]

I like this team. I think Moodie plays as well

[@affiliateclimbmax9287]

Isnt Arendse injured?

[@marsof46]

Good morning namesake. Good channel!! I see the game with Pumas taking risks and Boks kicking and putting pressure on the rival error. I'm a rugby neophyte.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@marsof46 thanks for the support and the comment

[@ryantingman2224]

Thanks you for your work 👊🏻 GO BOKS

[@lautarorius6113]

Hi, Eduardo Bello is injured, so i think that Lucio Sordoni will be selected on the bench, however it's possible that uncapped Pedro Delgado will be included... Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Hola Argentina. Yes I would like to see Delgado get a cap, I have heard good things. Thank you for that.

[@harry486]

I think Pollard and Kriel on the bench and Libbok at 10 and Moodie at 13

[@affiliateclimbmax9287]

Maanie 10. Esterhuisen was massive for the Sharks looks so sharp playing towards the ball and securing it 12. Moody last time out these 2 clicked he runs off the big fella and looks dangerous..

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK, great stuff, thanks

[@maaifoediedelarey4335]

I think Libbok will be starting, with Pollard either replacing him, or replacing Jesse Kriel by slotting in at 12 with Am moving out to 13 - depending on how things go at 10 &12. Personally, I'm confused as to why André Esterhuisen wasn't picked at 12 with Am at 13, giving Jesse a much needed break (since Esterhuisen clearly is fit).

[@PvC63-Jan]

Hi Mark, good Bok team!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Hey, thanks!

[@schalkstrydom660]

I think your Argentina lineup will be spot on, except for Gallo who got ruled out with injury. The Springboks lineup will be really hard to predict, but I think your prediction will be close. I think Jasper will start and Louw will be on the bench. I think it will be a 6-2 split going up against the big Argentine pack, so Moodie will most likely sit out.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@schalkstrydom660 OK, lets see how it unravels with the team picks, thanks for the comment

[@Girellgirell]

Little correction mark, he’s called Juan Cruz (all together its a spanish name) and his surname is Mallia

[@winstonwiggill2824]

Backs as follows is my guess ... 9.Jaden Hendrikse 10.Libbok 11.Mapimpi 12 Amm 13.Kriel 14.Arendse 15.Fassi

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@winstonwiggill2824 you might be right, I know Rassie is a fan, But Hendrikse for me, no thanks. I still see Libbok coming off the bench

[@winstonwiggill2824]

With reference to Ox, he is famous here for husband chirp "Salads don't win scrums) 😅

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Love that

[@petrusvanderMerwe-o9k]

pumas agree rsa forwards marco and morat on start backline vd berg moody am libbok 5/3

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@user-jh8uh3ki3i OK, lets see what Rassies does

[@at7512]

Reckon Eben off the bench, Libbok will start and Wiese at 8th man

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Great thanks for you thoughts.

[@toscabrutus1781]

Marc ek dink jy is naby aan reg! Miskien WIese vir agsteman en manie libbok vir starter losskakel! Groete!

[@portorportor8247]

👏come on pumas ! Dont underestimate their ex-leinster player" coach..mini shock coming?😮?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

There you go, vamos los Pumas

[@mvubu6823]

KOLISI won't play. EBEN won't start. Props - Hooker can flip about. 6. Van Staden 7. BJD 8/ LOUW Hendrickse Libbok Am - (Pronounce the Y - LUKE KANYO AM) Kriel Aarendse Kolbe Fassi Bench will be 5/3 Props/ hooker Eben Kwagga Reinach Pollard Moodie

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@mvubu6823 ok, thanks for sharing your prediction

[@wouterswanepoel5753]

Salmaan Moerat, as the crown prince, will captain the side and start with Ruan Nortjé. Etzebeth, Kolisi and Marx will play off the splinters. Libbok will start at 10 with Pollard at 12 and Am at 13.

[@user-yg4lu6xg7h]

Agreed I think Rassie will use this test to blood the new recruits and also that he will play Pollard at inside centre with Am outside him. It’s an interesting combination that might be worth looking at again in the future. Manie Libock is the best attacking no 10 in SA and could really bring Pollard and Am in the game. Later in the game it would also be interesting to see what a back 4 of Am, Moodie, Fassie and Arendse can do.

[@kristian762]

I also reckon we could see Manie, Polly and Am. At least, I'd like to see that, I think it could be very, very interesting. I'd like to see Hendrikse start with them as well. Eben off the bench will be massive, but I think if Siya doesn't start, we won't see him come off the bench. It's very interesting to see what Rassie will do with this one, I think some of the youngsters will start will the experience coming off the bench, similar to what we did against the Wobblies, but maybe with a bit less risk. I also wonder if Nico will get a go starting at 5, or maybe be on the bench with Eben. I also want to see Marco get an opportunity. It's tough, there just aren't enough spots in the 23 man team for everyone 😂 Jasper deserves some game time so I see him playing for sure, but I doubt he'll come off the bench. Then Louw must be on the bench. I wonder if maybe we could see the 7-1... regarding scrummies I think Jayden and Grant should play. Cobus has been solid but he doesn't bring anything special to the team right now. I'd love to see Jan Hendrik get a go but I think its doubtful. I think this is the team I'd like to see play, but I keep changing my mind... there's too many different options. Steenekamp, Marx, Thomas Moerat, Nico(or Nortje) Marco, Jasper, BJD Hendrikse(or grant), Manie Polly, Am KLA, Moodie(or mapimpi), Fassi Ox, Grobbies, Koch, Eben, Kwagga, Louw, Grant/Jayden (depends who starts), Kriel (or Moodie if Mapimpi starts).

[@Balance-v8x]

I like your thinking Mark. Hard to say if Rassie will go in with the experience first, or whether he will give the likes of Manie some freedom first and then keep the experience as a safety net. I think he will do that. Likewise I would pick Ben JD in the starting line up, and I would give van Staden a run as well, his bone crunching tackling in the first 60 minutes may just work. Hard to call this game? I look forward to seeing what Am and Mapimpi can do, and how Fassi goes against the Argies. It will be a tougher game than we think. I think a 6/2 split will happen with Handre replacing Kriel and Am shifting one out. I like the Argies' losies, Pablo is one of my favourite players to watch. There will be a few yellow cards I think.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Spot on. Let's see indeed

[@SummerSteps]

I like your thinking around the Bok team. Definitely agree on Louw and Mapimpi, gracias for your input 🇿🇦

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thank you

[@winstonwiggill2824]

Lavaninni might struggle to keep his cool against Etzebeth. But an excellent Argentinian side there. Boks beware. My guess is Moerat will start & captain the side. Eben will come off the bench. Rassie favour's Jaden Hendrikse at 9. Probably as the starting 9

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@winstonwiggill2824 thank you for your contribution, lets see what Rassie does.

[@eduardoluiscastiglioni]

Hi Mark, I think that Molina should go instead of Lavanini.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Ok great. Let's see

[@Dan1973100]

Only difference, I would give Scrummy van den Berg another chance

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Ok then. Let's see what Rassie does.

[@collinramiah6892]

Goos pick Mark

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks

[@Girellgirell]

And Bello is Injured, that’s why they called Pedro Delgado for this tests

[@marchennink]

Hendricks should start. But otherwise... SPOT ON MARK

[@marchennink]

Hendricks is underrated. He he takes the pressure off no.10

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK, lets see

[@quaziforus]

10 Libbok 12 pollard

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK lets see

[@Dan1973100]

We think alike, thank you Mark

[@heathcharsley5429]

Humidity in Argentina can be a killer.Not sure how this will affect the players.😮😊

[@ricardoprovan5159]

Santiago del Estero y generally drier than Buenos Aires. Not to worry. Yet....