14 Aug 2013

Contepomi to captain Argentina against Boks

11:08 am on 14 August 2013

Felipe Contepomi will lead Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Soweto this weekend in place of injured captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

35-year-old Contepomi who has retired from European club rugby as he winds down his career, will be making his debut in the competition.

He led the Pumas in their 2-0 home series loss to England in June.

There are also tournament debuts for prop Matias Diaz and flanker Pablo Matera, both promoted from the under-20 Pumitas in the side named by coach Santiago Phelan.

Juan Martin Hernandez, first five eighths in Argentina's debut championship last year, has relinquished his place to Nicolas Sanchez and lines up at fullback, the position where he made his name with Stade Francais.

Team: 15-Juan Martin Hernandez, 14-Gonzalo Camacho, 13-Marcelo Bosch, 12-Felipe Contepomi (captain), 11-Juan Imhoff, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin Landajo; 8-Leonardo Senatore, 7-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Patricio Albacete, 4-Manuel Carizza, 3-Matias Diaz, 2-Eusebio Guinazu, 1-Juan Figallo