Springboks welcome back star names for crucial Argentina Test ahead of Greatest Rivalry Tour

The Springboks will head to Buenos Aires this weekend with a clear objective: reintroduce several of their biggest names to Test rugby before the highly anticipated Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand later this month.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a side packed with experience for Saturday's clash against Argentina, with captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu all returning after injury layoffs.

Erasmus described the fixture as the ideal opportunity to reintegrate several key players against one of the toughest opponents in world rugby.

Getting fully conditioned 

“This match is the perfect occasion for players like Siya, Eben, Lood, Sacha, Morne and the other players returning from injury to get a tough Test under the belt and get back into full swing at international level, as Argentina are a formidable team, who will push us to the limit,” Erasmus said.

The Bok coach added that the returning players had worked tirelessly to regain fitness, while those selected had earned their opportunity after impressing throughout the Nations Championship.

The spotlight will naturally fall on Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who returns in the No.10 jersey after missing South Africa's July fixtures. 

Widely regarded as one of the country's brightest attacking talents, the 24-year-old will have the chance to rediscover his rhythm alongside veteran scrum-half Cobus Reinach before the All Blacks series begins. 

Handré Pollard's presence on the bench also gives Erasmus proven experience should the match require it.

Icons return

Kolisi's return as captain brings invaluable leadership to a squad blending Rugby World Cup winners with emerging talent, while Etzebeth is set to extend his own slice of history by earning his 142nd Test cap, further strengthening his record as the most-capped Springbok of all time.

South Africa's recent record against Los Pumas offers confidence, having won 12 of their last 14 meetings since 2018, although both defeats during that period came on Argentine soil. 

That recent history should ensure there is no complacency as the Springboks look to build momentum before their defining clashes against New Zealand.

Springbok XV to face Argentina

15 Aphelele Fassi

14 Edwill van der Merwe

13 Canan Moodie

12 Andre Esterhuizen

11 Ethan Hooker

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

9 Cobus Reinach

8 Cameron Hanekom

7 Elrigh Louw

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)

5 Lood de Jager

4 Eben Etzebeth

3 Thomas du Toit

2 Johan Grobbelaar

1 Boan Venter

Replacements:

16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Handré Pollard

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