The Springboks have arrived in Buenos Aires with a squad brimming with experience, renewed energy and returning stars as Rassie Erasmus begins the next chapter of South Africa’s Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani.
Like a seasoned pack patiently grinding through phases before unleashing a match-winning move, the world champions are building momentum one Test at a time. Argentina is the next collision on the calendar, while the much anticipated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand looms enticingly over the horizon.
South Africa’s travelling party arrived shortly after midnight on Sunday after flying from Cape Town via São Paulo in two groups. With the journey complete, Sunday has been reserved for recovery before training resumes on Monday, allowing the squad to acclimatise after completing much of its tactical preparation during a Johannesburg training camp earlier this week.
@Springboks arrive in Buenos Aires for Pumas Test https://t.co/YIBJTkyNWi
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“It’s great to be back in Buenos Aires, and we are looking forward to the challenge of facing the Pumas here once again,” said Erasmus.
“It was a long journey, and there is a fair time difference between the countries, so the players will have time to rest and acclimatise today, and then we’ll return to the training field tomorrow.
“Fortunately, we did most of the groundwork for the match at our training camp in Johannesburg earlier this week, so we have a good base to build on in the next few days.”
The biggest talking point is the return of flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The 24-year-old has recovered from ankle surgery after limping out of a United Rugby Championship match in May, bringing fresh sparkle to an already glittering Springbok backline.
His return revives memories of his record-breaking performance against Argentina in Durban last year when he amassed an astonishing 37 points, the highest individual tally by a Springbok in a Test.
Erasmus now boasts enviable depth at flyhalf, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu joining Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok and rising youngster Vusi Moyo in a quartet capable of steering the Springbok attack through any storm.
Captain Siya Kolisi, locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, together with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, are also poised for their first appearances of the season after recovering from injury or concussion.
“We tried to get the balance right in selecting some guys who are returning from injury and who have not had too much game time,” Erasmus explained.
“The guys who have recovered from their injuries have been training hard this week and are ready to go, so it will be great for them to get a tough Test match under the belt.”
Meanwhile, players retained in South Africa, including Jesse Kriel and Pieter-Steph du Toit, have resumed preparations for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
“We are on track in terms of our preparation for both this match and the New Zealand Tour,” Erasmus said.
South Africa enters the fixture with confidence flowing through the squad. The Springboks opened their campaign with an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians before defeating England, Scotland and Wales in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Argentina arrives eager to respond after defeating Wales while suffering defeats to Scotland and England during its home campaign.
History also smiles on South Africa. Since the first Test between the nations in Argentina in 1993, the Springboks have won 14 of 18 encounters, losing three and drawing one.
Statistics, however, never make a tackle. Buenos Aires has long been a cauldron where reputations are tested, tempers simmer and every breakdown resembles a street fight in green grass clothing.
Saturday’s encounter offers Erasmus another opportunity to restore combinations, sharpen match fitness and edge closer to full strength before South Africa’s heavyweight meetings with New Zealand. The destination remains distant, although every stride through Argentina could shape the journey ahead.
Springbok Squad
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Herchel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe.
Coach: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa).
