South Africa v Argentina, Cape Town
Boks hand recall to Steyn for Pumas
ESPN Staff
August 15, 2012
Mike Tindall and Frans Steyn battle for the ball, England v South Africa, Twickenham, London, England, November 27, 2010
Frans Steyn will start against the Pumas © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Andries Bekker | Lwazi Mvovo | Frans Steyn
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby Championship

The Springboks have called up Francois Steyn for their Rugby Championship opener against the Pumas on Saturday.

Steyn will make his 50th Test appearance for South Africa against Argentina in Cape Town after missing the third Test against England due to his wedding. Along with Steyn's return to the side, Heyneke Meyer has called up second-row Andries Bekker and Lwazi Mvovo for the clash. Mvovo steps in for the injured JP Pietersen while Bekker comes in for Juandre Kruger.

With Pierre Spies ruled out of the whole of the tournament, Keegan Daniel starts at No.8. Other changes from the third Test against England sees Willem Alberts coming in for Jacques Potgieter and Zane Kirchener at fullback in place of Gio Aplon.

The selection sees Meyer opt for Super Rugby combinations so the front-row play for the Sharks, the second-row for the Stormers and the half-backs for the Bulls. Meyer said: "We've now been together for the June Tests and have had a good week to prepare, but we are still rather new as a team and it's good that the players know each other.

"Andries was always in our plans and it was a setback to lose him in June, while Lwazi has been impressive this year and I know he can fill the huge boots of JP. We're still a young team when it comes to experience, but this is Test rugby and there is no place to hide.

"The players have been working very hard on the training field and we now need to translate that to the Test. Argentina will be fired up as they are making their debut in Rugby Championship and we know they will be a tough opponent on Saturday."

Prop Pat Cilliers and utility back JJ Engelbrecht will make their debuts if they get a chance from the bench while Pat Lambie is also back among the replacements after missing the Test in Port Elizabeth because of an ankle injury.

Springboks team:

Zane Kirchner, Lwazi Mvovo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Keegan Daniel

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Pat Cilliers, Flip van der Merwe, Jacques Potgieter, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, JJ Engelbrecht

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