OWN CORRESPONDENT, Edinburgh | Wednesday 7.45pm.
URUGUAY have made two changes for the World Cup group A match against world champions South Africa at Hampden Park on Friday.
Fernando Sosa Diaz comes in at scrumhalf for Federico Sciarra while blindside flanker Nicolas Grille plays instead of Nicolas Brignoni. Both started in the 43-12 defeat by Scotland.
Uruguay, anticipating a hard battle up front, have named five forwards in the replacements and just two backs, and are praying for more rain after training in drizzle on Wednesday. “It can rain from now till Friday as far as we are concerned,” said number eight Diego Ormaechea. At 40, he is the oldest man in the tournament and will retire from a 20-year career in international rugby after Friday’s game.
“We have definitely progressed and felt better after the game against Scotland, when we lost, than we did after beating Spain, so you see it really is possible to lose a game and yet still win it.
“Everyone at home has been very impressed by the team’s performances, the way they played and the courage they have displayed and they fully understand the differences between professional teams and amateur teams like ourselves.
Team:
Alfonso Cardoso; Juan Menchaca, Pedro Vecino, Martin Mendaro, Pablo Costabile; Diego Aguirre, Fernando Sosa Dia; Diego Ormaechea (cap), Martin Panizza, Nicolas Grille, Maria Lame, Juan Carlos Bado, Pablo Lemoine, Diego Lamelas, Rodrigo Sanchez.