Bok mentor explains Bongi the communicator as captaincy choice: It's not a left-field choice

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said Bongi Mbonambi's elevation to the Test captaincy for Saturday's warm-up game against Argentina in Buenos Aires wasn't a left-field choice but one informed by his set-piece communication excellence with match officials.

Mbonambi, who will be running out for the 60th time, will be the Springboks' 64th Test captain as the leadership moves down to him in Duane Vermeulen's rested absence.

The number eight led the Boks in the Argentina and Wallaby Tests last month, with Eben Etzebeth captaining the Boks in the All-Black defeat that's sandwiched by the two Rugby Championship wins.

READ | Mbonambi skippers Boks against Pumas, prop Steenekamp set for debut

Nienaber said the communication Mbonambi has with match officials is essential in terms of keeping the team on an even keel, especially with him being in the heart of the set-pieces.

"Being a hooker, Bongi is a guy who talks to the ref the majority of the time in terms of scrums and lineouts," Nienaber said.

"The way he communicates with referees is exceptional and as captain, that's probably going to be one of the main things.

"You want one guy to be speaking to the referee and it should be him. When there are discussions around set pieces and scrums, it's normally the hookers.

Argentina

TBC

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jesse Kriel 23 Kurt-Lee Arendse

"When your captain