Towering Springbok fires warning shot at ‘feisty’ Pumas

Springbok lock Marvin Orie has issued some fighting words aimed at Argentina ahead of Saturday’s crucial Rugby Championship encounter at Ellis Park.

The Springboks square off against a motivated Argentina side in what could potentially be a Rugby Championship title decider (depending on the result between the All Blacks and Wallabies) in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

ALSO READ: Springboks revamp squad for Argentina showdown

SPRINGBOKS READY TO GO BLOW FOR BLOW WITH PUMAS

Both sides have named match day squads brimming with experienced and x-factor players as they look to round off the 2023 Rugby Championship on a high note.

Coach Michael Cheika has beefed up Argentina’s forward prowess with the selection of lock Lucas Paulos in the run-on XV, while also picking loose forward Facundo Isa, hooker Ignacio Ruiz and prop Joel Sclavi on the bench for what will be the trio’s first Test appearances of the season.

It’s a selection tactic that smacks of a team itching to get stuck into a physical battle, but while admitting to being wary of that threat, the 30-year-old Orie also stated that the Springboks embrace that kind of challenge.

“They are tough and feisty guys, and they don’t back off. But we revel in those contests, and we are excited about this weekend.”

ALSO READ: Springboks brace for brutal battle

THE MATCH DAY SQUADS

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8  Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Lukhanyo Am, 23 Damian Willemse.

Argentina – 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Mateo Carreras, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Lucas Paulos, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c) 1 Thomas Gallo.
Subs: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro,18  Joel Sclavi, 19 Pedro Rubiolo, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Matias Moroni.