A Supreme Challenge in Buenos Aires
The Argentine rugby team, Los Pumas, is gearing up for one of the most demanding and thrilling matches of their calendar: hosting South Africa (the Springboks), two-time world champions (2019 and 2023), on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 4:10 PM. The venue is the José Amalfitani Stadium in Vélez Sarsfield, with live broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN 2.
The match is part of the Copa Visa Galicia and marks the start of a series of high-level test matches for Argentina at home. Head coach Felipe Contepomi has opted for a deep rotation, making 13 changes from the last lineup, aiming to manage player fitness ahead of the 2027 World Cup, address injuries, and serve the suspension of Tomás Albornoz. This strategy opens the door for young talents to shine against the world's best.
A Squad with Fresh Blood and National Pride
The 34-player squad includes 10 uncapped players. Among them, four could make their official debut this Saturday. The headline is Francisco Moreno, 24 years old and weighing 146 kilograms, who will start as tighthead prop and become the 909th Puma in history. On the bench, Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos, and Juan Martín Scelzo (son of former Puma Martín Scelzo) await their opportunities. Additionally, Tomás Lavanini returns after two years, and Ignacio Mendy is back in the starting XV after three years.
With Julián Montoya absent, the captaincy falls to Pablo Matera, who will earn his 124th cap and lead a mix of experience and youth. Joaquín Moro from Leicester Tigers starts at number eight, earning his sixth international cap.
After South Africa, Argentina will face Australia in two test matches: Saturday, August 29, in Jujuy (at 4:00 PM) and September 5 in Mendoza (at 6:00 PM), both part of the Copa Visa Galicia. In November, the Northern Tour will take them to face Ireland, Italy, and France.
South Africa: A Formidable Unbeaten Rival
The Springboks, led by Rassie Erasmus, arrived in Argentina last weekend after three straight wins in the Nations Championship: beating England (45-21), Scotland (42-28), and Wales (43-0). Erasmus confirmed his team also makes 13 changes from the side that beat Wales. The big news is the return of captain Siya Kolisi, who missed the July campaign, and lock Eben Etzebeth, playing his first match since November 2025.
Kolisi's Praise
The South African captain praised the Argentine team and especially Pablo Matera: 'We know they take pride in what they do and how they work. They are very emotional people, so it will be a tough match. Pablo is a player who loves his country and plays for his people.'
Erasmus's Warning
The South African coach highlighted the difficulty of visiting Argentina: 'Playing against Argentina in Buenos Aires is always one of the toughest challenges in international rugby. We have lost here before, and they have given us the biggest beating we have suffered since this coaching staff has been together.'
Confirmed Lineups
| Argentina (Los Pumas) | South Africa (Springboks) |
|---|---|
| 15. G. Prisciantelli | 15. A. Fassi |
| 14. R. Isgró | 14. E. van der Merwe |
| 13. L. Cinti | 13. C. Moodie |
| 12. F. Sánchez Valarolo | 12. A. Esterhuizen |
| 11. I. Mendy | 11. E. Hooker |
| 10. S. Carreras | 10. S. Feinberg-Mngomezulu |
| 9. S. Benítez Cruz | 9. C. Reinach |
| 8. J. Moro | 8. C. Hanekom |
| 7. B. Grondona | 7. E. Louw |
| 6. P. Matera (C) | 6. S. Kolisi (C) |
| 5. T. Lavanini | 5. L. de Jager |
| 4. G. Petti | 4. E. Etzebeth |
| 3. F. Moreno | 3. T. du Toit |
| 2. I. Ruiz | 2. J. Grobbelaar |
| 1. B. Wenger | 1. B. Venter |
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England), replacing the injured French official Pierre Brousset. Assistants: Luc Ramos (France) and Craig Evans (Wales). TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales).
For more details, visit the original article on Imago.