Pumas make five changes

Buenos Aires - Argentina have made five changes to the team crushed by South Africa last weekend for the return Rugby Championship match in Mendoza Saturday.

Into the starting line-up come full-back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, left-wing Horacio Agulla, prop Marcos Ayerza and locks Julio Farias Cabello and Mariano Galarza.

Out go injured Los Pumas trio, full-back Juan Martin Hernandez and locks Manuel Carizza and Patricio Albacete.

Wing Juan Imhoff and prop Matias Diaz have been dropped to the bench from the side routed 73-13 in Soweto last Saturday.

Inspirational No. 8 and captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe remains sidelined due to injury and was sorely missed against the Springboks.

His continued absence means centre Felipe Contepomi, who turns 36 this week, continues as skipper.

Argentina are returning to western city Mendoza hoping to recapture the form of last season when they were unlucky to only draw 16-16 against South Africa.

The Springboks won seven other Tests in Argentina since being readmitted to international rugby in 1992 after apartheid-induced isolation.

The biggest winning margin for the green and gold came from a 39-7 triumph in capital city Buenos Aires nine years ago.

Teams:

Argentina:

15. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14. Gonzalo Camacho, 13. Marcelo Bosch, 12. Felipe Contepomi (captain), 11. Horacio Agulla, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martn Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Mariano Galarza, 4. Julio Faras Cabello, 3. Juan Figallo, 2. Eusebio Guinazu, 1. Marcos Ayerza

Substitutes: 16. Agustn Creevy, 17. Nahuel Lobo, Matas Diaz, 18. Tomas Lavaninni, 19. Benjamin Macome, 20. Tomas Cubelli, 21. Santiago Fernandez, 22. Juan Imhoff

South Africa:

15. Willie le Roux, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Francois Louw, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Gürthro Steenkamp, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Flip van der Merwe, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Jano Vermaak, 22. Patrick Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein