Springboks vs Argentina: Kick-off time, team and how to watch

The Springboks face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 August 2026, in their final warm-up before the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against New Zealand.

The Rugby Championship is on hold this year to accommodate a restructured bilateral scheduling window, making this a standalone Test between South Africa and Los Pumas.

Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting line-up from the team that defeated Wales. Captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu return for their first starts of the 2026 international season.

Springboks vs Argentina match details

Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
Kick-off: 21:10 SAST
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Broadcast in South Africa: SuperSport
Referee: Pierre Brousset of France

The match starts at 16:00 local time in Argentina.

Springboks make 13 changes

Erasmus has selected a new forward pack combination as several senior players return from injury.

Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Thomas du Toit form the front row. Etzebeth and De Jager combine in the second row, while Kolisi leads a loose trio featuring Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom.

Cobus Reinach partners Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback.

Andre Esterhuizen starts at inside centre alongside Canan Moodie. Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker occupy the wings, with Aphelele Fassi at fullback.

Springboks starting XV against Argentina

15. Aphelele Fassi
16. Edwill van der Merwe
17. Canan Moodie
18. Andre Esterhuizen
19. Ethan Hooker
20. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Cameron Hanekom
23. Elrigh Louw
24. Siya Kolisi, captain
25. Lood de Jager
26. Eben Etzebeth
27. Thomas du Toit
28. Johan Grobbelaar
29. Boan Venter

Springboks 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

What to expect from the Springboks

South Africa will look to play at a high tempo around the rucks.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s tactical kicking will also play an important role against the Pumas’ aggressive midfield defence.

The centre combination gives South Africa physical strength through Esterhuizen, with Moodie providing pace on the outside.

Erasmus has selected six forwards and two backs among the replacements. Pollard and Van den Berg provide the backline cover.

Springboks’ record against Argentina

South Africa has dominated the fixture across 40 Tests.

The Springboks have won 35 matches, while Argentina has won four. One Test ended in a draw.

South Africa also holds a 10-match winning record against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The teams last met in October 2025, when the Springboks secured a 29-27 victory. Argentina won their previous home meeting 29-28 in Santiago del Estero in 2024.

Final Test before the All Blacks tour

The Buenos Aires match gives returning players game time before South Africa begins its Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against New Zealand.

For Kolisi, Etzebeth, De Jager and Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Test offers an important return to the starting team before the four-match series against the All Blacks.

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