Argentina will host South Africa in Santiago del Estero on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash in the 2024 Rugby Championship. This is the first of two fixtures between the sides, with the second match set to take place in Nelspruit, South Africa, on September 28, in the final round of the tournament.
Watch Pumas vs Springboks Rugby Anywhere
Aside from World Cup years, these two teams face each other twice annually in the Rugby Championship. Argentina, also known as Los Pumas, last claimed victory over the Springboks in 2018, and they will be eager to break that drought as the 2024 competition heats up.
Team news – South Africa
21:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Rassie Erasmus makes ten changes to the Springboks side that beat New Zealand, with seven of his squad rested entirely from the trip. Salmaan Moerat leads the side once more after making his captaincy debut against Australia earlier in the competition, with lock Etzebeth set to equal Victor Matfield’s Springbok record of 127 Test appearances if he takes the field from the bench. Handre Pollard continues at fly half.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Salmaan Moerat (capt.); 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok.
Team news – Argentina
21:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina make three alterations with the back five of their pack, with Pedro Rubiolo returning from concussion to partner Franco Molina in a new-look second row. Joaquin Oviedo’s two-try performance off the bench against Australia earns him a start at number eight, while uncapped prop Pedro Delgado awaits a debut on the bench.
Argentina starting XV: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Matias Moroni.
South Africa starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Manie Libbok.
Ahead of the return fixture next week, Erasmus has opted to rest some key players, including captain Siya Kolisi, who will be in the coaches’ box due to a facial injury. This opens the door for Argentina, who are brimming with confidence after a record-breaking win against Australia two weeks ago, to try and spring a surprise.
Stay tuned to our live blog for updates from the Rugby Championship:
Argentina vs South Africa LIVE
- Kick-off at 10 PM
- Springboks on the verge of claiming the title with a win
- Siya Kolisi sidelined, taking on a coaching role
- Argentina aims to challenge South Africa’s forward pack
21:25 – Argentina’s back five continue to strengthen under coach Felipe Contepomi, with veterans like Marcos Kremer and Guido Petti now joined by rising stars Pedro Rubiolo and Joaquin Oviedo. The depth of Argentina’s squad is highlighted by their ability to leave key player Juan Martin Gonzalez on the bench while maintaining a strong lineup to counter South Africa’s power.
