Argentina name four debutants for Springboks clash in Buenos Aires

Los Pumas will field four international debutants when they face the Springboks in Buenos Aires on Saturday, with Santiago Carreras moving from fullback to fly-half in the absence of the suspended Tomas Albornoz.

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has selected Francisco Moreno to make his first appearance for the national side at tighthead prop. Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos and Juan Martin Scelzo are also in line to earn their debuts after being named among the replacements.

The match will be captained by experienced flanker Pablo Matera, while Tomas Lavanini returns to the starting line-up at lock.

Albornoz is unavailable after being suspended following Argentina’s feisty encounter with England in the Nations Championship. His absence has led Contepomi to reposition Carreras at number 10, with Geronimo Prisciantelli starting at fullback.

Los Pumas are seeking a fifth victory over South Africa. Their most recent win against the Springboks came in 2024 in Santiago del Estero.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 on Saturday.

Argentina’s starting XV is:

15 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Simon Benitez Cruz, 8 Joaquin Moro, 7 Benjamin Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Boris Wenger.

Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Tomas Rapetti, 19 Ephraim Elijah, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Juan Martin Scelzo, 22 Agustin Moyano, 23 Matias Moroni.

South Africa will line up with Aphelele Fassi at fullback and Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker completing the back three and midfield.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at fly-half, with Cobus Reinach at scrum-half. Cameron Hanekom is selected at number eight, while Elrigh Louw and captain Siya Kolisi are named on the flank.

Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth form the Springboks’ second row. Thomas du Toit starts at tighthead prop, with Johan Grobbelaar at hooker and Boan Venter at loosehead prop.

The Springboks’ replacements are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cobus Wiese, Marco van Staden, Morne van den Berg and Handre Pollard.

The Buenos Aires contest provides Argentina with the chance to add another notable result against South Africa, while Contepomi’s selection also gives four uncapped players an opportunity to begin their international careers in one of rugby’s highest-profile fixtures.