Mallett: Jan-Hendrik can be another Marx

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Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett is excited to see what Jan-Hendrik Wessels can do as a hooker replacement against Argentina at Kings Park on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was utilised at both loosehead prop and hooker by former Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White last season, and Bok coach Rassie Erasmus also seems to appreciate his versatility, having used him in both positions off the bench recently.

"It's great to have a look at Jan-Hendrik Wessels at hooker. He's got massive potential in that position," Mallett said on the Talking Boks podcast.

"He's strong enough to be a loosehead prop - almost like that old Argentinian player [Federico Méndez] who would move from prop to hooker, so you had three props in the front row and one of them could throw.

"Apart from being incredibly quick around the field, he's got all the attributes to be another Marx."

Erasmus has made two personnel changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Rugby Championship match at Kings Park, with Damian Willemse replacing the injured Aphelele Fassi at fullback and Damian de Allende returning at inside centre. In the pack, Eben Etzebeth comes in for injured lock Lood de Jager.

"I was expecting a few more changes, but it's very satisfying to see virtually the same backline go out again," said Mallett. "Had Fassi and Lood not been injured, Rassie might even have started with the same 15 to give them a vote of confidence."

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Mallett said he was pleased to see Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - who left the field after 18 minutes of the Wellington Test with concussion - get another opportunity to start at flyhalf.

"One aspect I'm very interested in is the decision-making at 10. Manie Libbok's decision-making in the second half [against the All Blacks] was outstanding. Had Sacha stayed on the field, it would've been great to see how he managed that game.

"He's been given another opportunity - let's hope he gets 60 minutes or whatever Rassie's planning, so we can see whether he can get the best out of a backline and take the right decisions at the right time."

Mallett expected the Boks to be tested by Los Pumas, who beat the All Blacks in Buenos Aires and the Wallabies in Sydney.

"I've got tremendous respect for Argentina as a rugby nation. Felipe Contepomi is a wonderful coach - qualified doctor, bright guy, passionate about rugby - and he's done a brilliant job with them.

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"They probably have the most flowing backline: lots of options around the ball-carrier, dummy runners, inside balls, playing out the back, maintaining depth but hitting the advantage line with accurate passing. They've moved away from being only a kicking, scrumming and mauling side; they're a very dangerous team to play against.

"They've got wonderfully talented 10s - [Tomas] Albanez and [Santiago] Carreras, whoever plays - and they get the best out of that backline. They work hard defensively too, so it's no surprise they've beaten Australia and New Zealand once each.

"And their discipline has improved enormously under Contepomi - far fewer of the silly, unnecessary penalties and cards that relieved pressure in the past.

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Mallett said the Boks would have to work hard for a win on Saturday.

"We have to wear them down first; I don't necessarily think we'll run them off their feet in the first half. Build an innings and finish strongly - you can score three tries [for a bonus point] in 20 minutes if you've dominated for 60.

"From set-piece, get over the advantage line, use our big runners, really wear them down. What we mustn't do is go back to overplaying like we did [against the Wallabies] at Ellis Park.

"My prediction: around a 10-point win - something like 30-22. Everything's been tight in this Championship, and Argentina are a good side who do a lot right. It'll be a proper test for us."