By Adnaan Mohamed
The Springboks have arrived in Buenos Aires with several frontline players returning from injury as preparations intensify for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus‘ squad reached the Argentine capital shortly after midnight on Sunday after travelling from Cape Town via São Paulo in two groups. The players will rest on Sunday before resuming training on Monday as they acclimatise to the time difference ahead of the Test.
The Argentina fixture is another important step in South Africa’s season before the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand begins on 22 August.
“It’s great to be back in Buenos Aires, and we are looking forward to the challenge of facing the Pumas here once again,” Erasmus said.
“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 boost for South Africa is the return of flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after ankle surgery.
The 24-year-old has not played since suffering the injury during a United Rugby Championship match in May. His inclusion follows a standout performance against Argentina last season when he scored a Springbok record 37 points in Durban.
Erasmus now has four experienced flyhalves available, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu joining Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok and recent debutant Vusi Moyo.
Captain Siya Kolisi, locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, together with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, are also in line to make 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 said.
“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.”
Several senior players, including Jesse Kriel and Pieter-Steph du Toit, remain in South Africa after featuring in three Tests across 15 days during July. They have resumed preparations for the upcoming New Zealand series.
“We are on track in terms of our preparation for both this match and the New Zealand Tour,” Erasmus said.
South Africa heads into the match in strong form after opening the season with an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians before recording Nations Championship wins over England (45-21), Scotland (42-28) and Wales (43-0).
Argentina’s campaign has been less consistent. Los Pumas defeated Wales 35-21, although they suffered defeats to Scotland and England.
History also favours the Springboks. South Africa has won 14 of its 18 Tests in Argentina since the nations first met there in 1993, losing three and drawing one.
Erasmus is expected to consult with his coaching staff before confirming the matchday squad later this week.
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.