South Africa just about clung on for a 17-10 victory over a depleted Argentina in Buenos Aires – though were dealt a huge injury scare ahead of four Tests against New Zealand.
The Springboks continued their winning streak with a hard-fought win secured by a last goalline stand on a day where both sides failed to fire in attack and defences dominated. Argentina, missing plenty of regular starters, could take huge credit from a strong showing though were left to rue a series of missed opportunities and a faltering second-half set-piece.
Rassie Erasmus will not have been best pleased by the overall Springboks showing with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks to come over the next few weeks, and watched Siya Kolisi limp off in the first half. Will the captain be fit for the marquee matches against New Zealand?
Follow all of the latest from the international clash with our live blog below:
Argentina vs South Africa LIVE
- South Africa edge out Argentina in hard-fought battle in Buenos Aires
- Springboks lack fluency but win 17-10 after last goalline stand
- Springboks are preparing to take on New Zealand in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series
- FT: Argentina 10-17 South Africa
- 60' – Springboks and Pumas remain locked together in tight battle (ARG 10-10 RSA)
- HT – South Africa hit back to level just before the interval (ARG 10-10 RSA)
- 25' – Siya Kolisi forced off with injury as Springboks toil (ARG 10-3 RSA)
- 10' – Argentina stirke to lead in entertaining start (ARG 10-3 RSA)
Siya Kolisi suffers hamstring injury in huge blow to South Africa ahead of New Zealand series
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Could Siya Kolisi miss the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests?
Kolisi suffers injury in huge blow to South Africa ahead of New Zealand series
Siya Kolisi reacts to South Africa's win
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a tough game, exactly what we expected. A lot of us are coming back from injuries, so we knew the chemistry and cohesion would not be there. They are very similar to us, that’s why we love coming here.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming games, it is going to be really tough. This was great preparation for that. The people of Argentina have been amazing to us. They always show so much love to us as a team.
“I hurt my hamstring again, unfortunately. I’ll go for a scan and see how far it is. It’s really tough, but I can’t be sad about it. There’s nothing I can do now but go for a scan and see how long I’ll be out for.”
FT: Argentina 10-17 South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A few relieved faces in the South Africa ranks – they got away with one, there, both in those final knockings and overall on a day where they failed to find fluency. The depleted Argentina side can be proud of their performance, particularly defensively, though must rue what might have been.
FT: Argentina 10-17 South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 83 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Shades of the end of the England game as Argentina knock on the door. Is there space out wide? Knocked on! South Africa survive! Cover was coming but Matias Moroni might have got there, had the veteran not found the pass to him too hot to handle!
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 82 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Leonel Oviedo totes it up and sets the stage. Here come the forwards, and the tireless Faustino Sanchez Valarolo from inside centre, too. Oviedo again, making a metre. 10 phases, now 11, but no major metreage made.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 81 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A penalty under the posts, perhaps harshly, goes against South Africa. It looked like Argentina might have been in at the side first.
No matter. What do Argentina do? Surely not a scrum? Tap and go? Yes, off they go!
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 80 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 22:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Into the last minute...and a brilliant 50:22 from Argentina captain Pablo Matera! A piece of genius from the flanker, spotting space and exploiting with a cultured left boot. Who knew he had that in him?
A lineout, then 10 metres out, and a last chance to level...
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 79 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina successfully extract the ball from the scrum with haste, and spread the ball away to the left. Edwill van der Merwe covers across, and Canan Moodie is then there to prevent Matias Moroni’s in-field offload finding a teammate.
It was Moodie with the last touch, though. Argentina’s lineout as we enter the final 90 seconds.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 78 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have got some joy with the kick-pass today, a tactic that teams like the All Blacks have used successfully against this Springboks blitz defence in the past. Santiago Carreras nearly finds Rodrigo Isgro with the latest example, and Pablo Matera scoops up in support, though Ethan Hooker stays with the flanker and scrags him. A knock-on each way will tick more time away as South Africa edge closer to victory.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 75 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Superb scrambling from Aphelele Fassi, cool, calm and collected as he taps the ball back into play having hustled after a raking Santiago Carreras punt that seemed destined to be a 50:22. Vital from the Springboks full-back, nimble of mind and feet to keep both ball and he in the field of play.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets back with him to clear.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 73 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another errant lineout throw from Leonel Oviedo prevents Argentina from capitalising on a territorial win in a kicking battle. Their inexperience has showed a bit in this final quarter.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 71 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina are penalised at scrum time again but South Africa make inroads, rendering the advantage over when Ben-Jason Dixon is forklifted into touch. Aphelele Fassi had shown real power to make the metres initially.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 69 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ah. Not the start to his Test career that Leonel Oviedo would have wanted, an ugly toss to the tail way off-line and whistled for being not straight. No complaints from the replacement hooker on debut, just a raised hand of apology to his teammates.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 68 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A grubber isn’t quite the right idea or execution, evading the chasing Canan Moodie with Geronimo Prisciantelli covering well. South Africa have scored twice but they’ve looked short of ideas too often today.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 66 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The scrum is providing a platform for South Africa at the moment. Another penalty allows their forwards to march down to the fringes of the 22.
Argentina 10-17 South Africa, 65 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have shown real spirit in situations like this over the last couple of years, and will have to do so again. A wide pass for Rodrigo Isgro isn’t quite right, hitting the floor in front of him and leaping over his shoulder like an over-excited puppy.
Andre Esterhuizen is in a spot of bother, meanwhile. His head is on the wrong side as he tackles Santiago Carreras, and he’ll have to depart for an HIA. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shuffles back into 10 and Handre Pollard takes up position in the centres.
TRY! Argentina 10-17 SOUTH AFRICA (Cameron Hanekom, 63 minutes)
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A scrum statement to break the tie! Pure power from South Africa, with Gerhard Steenekamp doing a job on Tomas Rapetti.
Cameron Hanekom keeps control at the rear of the scrum, and is over for his first Springboks score. Deserved for an all-action effort.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 62 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Handre Pollard has been introduced, too, and has gone to fly half with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shifting to full-back. The replacement’s diagonal kick forces Argentina into coffin corner...and they won’t escape, trapped in, held up, and turned over.
South Africa will feed a scrum on the Pumas’ five-metre line.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 60 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s tight at the hour mark in Buenos Aires! Morne van den Berg is on for Cobus Reinach at scrum half for the visitors.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 59 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Roars from the home crowd as the penalty goes their way! Eben Etzebeth looks perplexed as Christophe Ridley calls him over for a chat, but the lock had jumped into the tackle, making the fact it came in the air null and void. Etzebeth, to his credit, is accepting of that verdict as the Springboks continue to toil.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 58 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu hasn’t looked himself tonight, shaking off the rust after an injury that curtailed his URC season with the Stormers. Another misdirected kick lands only about five metres beyond his point of contact, and forces Aphelele Fassi to scramble back after a carrom.
NO TRY! Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 57 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
As expected, Marco van Staden was out of play when he gathered the ball. Assistant referee Craig Evans was looking right at him. Peculiar he didn’t pick it up live, but there’s plenty going on out there.
Anyway, no try. Argentina’s lineout 15 metres from their own line.
Try? Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 56 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa get there...but there are a couple of things to check? Was there a double movement? And was Marco van Staden in touch right at the start of the movement?
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 55 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hanekom is the man troubling Argentina’s catchers with a box kick put up into the Argentina 22. He seems to knock on and Marco van Staden then appears to have an arm in touch, but the Springboks are permitted to play on.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 53 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cameron Hanekom hasn’t stopped for South Africa. The No 8 makes another thunderous carry on kick return but it remains all a little bitty from the visitors.
Held up! Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 51 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Courageous defence from Argentina! Pablo Matera and two more Pumas get beneath a rumbling Andre Esterhuizen and hold the ball up under the posts.
Respite, but those new Springboks forwards have added fresh impetus. Gerhard Steenekamp and Zachary Porthen, the prop pair, are among them.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 50 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s been frustrating for South Africa today, lacking their usual clinical edge when they’ve chosen to run. They end up down a cul-de-sac after sweeping away to the right, with Edwill van der Merwe bundled into touch.
Argentina miss the lineout. Attacking possession for Johan Grobelaar and his colleagues, with the bench “Bomb Squad” all on.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 48 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Geronimo Prisciantelli didn’t maybe have the year he had hoped for at Racing 92 but he’s added a nice dimension to the Argentina attack from full-back tonight, working well in playmaking partnership with the similarly skilled Santiago Carreras,
South Africa just about handle the Pumas after Prisciantelli’s initial shimmy into space. Turnover ball is cleverly kicked ahead by Aphelele Fassi, and Ethan Hooker shows his athleticism to bear down on Rodrigo Isgro...who just, just, gets back to ground in goal in time.
Missed penalty! Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 46 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Off the upright! Nearly for Santiago Carreras, but away it spins from the very top of the post.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 45 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Efrain Elias is on in the Argentina second row for Tomas Lavanini...and there is fellow replacement Tomas Rapetti making an impact, shooting out of the line to intercept! The massive tighthead doesn’t have the pace to make much of the space, though a brilliant dummy and step keep him moving, and Argentina earn a penalty thereafter. Superb from Rapetti, nipping in front of Eben Etzebeth.
Santiago Carreras will kick for goal.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 43 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina won’t die wondering, ever eager to throw the extra pass as they venture forward. That’s an error, though, from Geronimo Prisciantelli, who compounds it by clinging on to the ball on the floor following a knock-on.
Argentina 10-10 South Africa, 41 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A tackle in the air from the restart by Cameron Hanekom, eager to involve himself. TMO Ben Whitehouse calls down to referee Christophe Ridley. Hanekom did well to pull out of the challenge, ensuring there is no stiffer sanction.
Francisco Moreno has been replaced on the tighthead by Tomas Rapetti for Argentina. A solid enough showing on debut from Moreno.
Second half...
Saturday 8 August 2026 21:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Marco van Staden is already on for South Africa, of course, with Siya Kolisi stricken – but when will Rassie Erasmus go to the rest of his bench? Still Ben-Jason Dixon and Cobus Wiese to be used in the back five of the pack.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu restarts proceedings.
HT: Argentina 10-10 South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hearty, hardy stuff in Buenos Aires with both sides knocking six bells out of one another. Plenty of physicality and two brilliant offloads to create tries – the Springboks will back their bench to make a difference but Argentina have given them plenty to think about.
HALF TIME: Argentina 10-10 South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Argentina 10-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Edwill van der Merwe, 40 minutes)
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A score the Springboks needed! Finally, it clicks for South Africa, but only thanks to Andre Esterhuizen.
The centre is given a wretched pass but manages to corral it by his shins, before using his burl to biff back a would-be tackler. That allows him to contort an offloading limb over the top and spring his backline colleagues into space, and Aphelele Fassi puts Edwill van der Merwe into the corner.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 38 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Into the final couple of minutes of the first half. Elrigh Louw, quiet so far, makes a carry wide on the left as South Africa attempt to mount an offensive.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 36 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Every time South Africa attempt to exert some pressure, an error or poor kick seems to come. The latest is a high hoist that Argentina are able to mark, with Santiago Carreras retreating beneath it to reduce the impact of the crackdown on escorting runners. A good take over the shoulder from Carreras.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 34 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s all just a bit too untidy from Sotuh Africa in the face of Argentina’s defensive strength. Can the Pumas make it count before half time?
Ah, a frustrating one. A brilliant cross-kick from Geronimo Prisciantelli lands beautifully in the hands of Ignacio Mendy, and Argentina rush through in support. Boris Wenger can’t clasp a pass a few phases later, though.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 31 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another missed chance for South Africa, whistled for playing the ball in an offside position having stalled five metres from the Argentina line. Aphelele Fassi hasn’t realised the penalty is against the Springboks, and tried to tap and go to the line. Christophe Ridley, in the confusion, almost permits it, before rapidly correcting himself.
Argentina belt the penalty long, though not to touch, and a fumble as they return the kick back to them will grant South Africa possession 35 yards out.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 29 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cameron Hanekom is having a good half, too, for South Africa. A jackal penalty is his latest significant defensive involvement.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 26 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have done such a good job in this first half-hour. They’ve scrambled and steeled when they’ve needed to, but it’s been mostly pure gainline physicality rocking the bocks.
That said, poor Faustino Sanchez Valarolo is taking a clattering in attack. Eben Etzebeth and Andre Esterhuizen are the latest bouncers to eject him roughly from the club.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 25 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Siya Kolisi is limping off! The Springboks captain grasps at his leg as he takes leave after yet another injury blow. Marco van Staden comes on but that could be a major blow ahead of the All Blacks series.
And to compound matters for South Africa, they make a proper hash of the lineout. Chance gone!
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 24 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“Is it not a penalty try because I definitely would have scored?” Eben Etzebeth cheekily enquires, I think with tongue in cheek. There were plenty of other defenders there.
Into the corner he and the heavy mob will instead head. They’ll set up another lineout when Argentina are penalised for collapsing the first maul.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 23 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But Eben Etzebeth knocks on! An exasperated puff of the cheeks from the giant lock, unable to quite hold on to the ball as he ploughs around the corner.
There is a no-arms tackle on him, though. TMO Ben Whitehouse informs referee Christophe Ridley, and the Springboks will have a penalty in advanced position.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 22 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Just when South Africa seem to find something, Argentina are managing to up the physicality. That’s neat, mind, from Siya Kolisi, accelerating like a centre and springing Ethan Hooker down the left touchline.
Kolisi with another forthright carry. To five metres out the Springboks surge.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 20 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Bright and bruising interplay around the fringes from the visitors, with Cobus Reinach sniping and shuttling forwards on wisely. Johan Grobbelaar is bashed back, though, and that stalls momentum.
To a drop goal, then...off the crossbar! A foot short at most from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after dropping back into the pocket, and Argentina scramble first to the ricochet.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 19 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cor, there are some heavy hitters out there for South Africa. A poor Argentine is absolutely munched by the mass of Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth, muscular and mean as they detonate his ribcage. Two men you wouldn’t want to encounter in a dark alley.
South Africa soon force a turnover and play inside the Argentina half.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 18 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has gone to the skies a few times with up-and-unders, though is just overweighting them thus far. He’s not played for a while, of course, but the fly half hasn’t yet given a chaser a chance to get hands on ball.
Springbok hands manage to block Simon Benitez Cruz’s first box kicked clearance, but not the second.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 16 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Unhappy by that early concession of a penalty, Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit make amends. Argentina’s front row folded up like an accordion.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 15 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Better from the Boks. Cameron Hanekom and Lood de Jager are two of their hardest hitters and introduce an Argentina carrier to their stern shoulders and then the firm surface in turn. Faustino Sanchez Valarolo’s miss pass is then a mile forward, and called as much by the on-field officials.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 13 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa look a little scraggly on both sides of the ball. Argentina are managing to get to the outside of their blitz, and there are a couple of green shirts offside later in the movement. Another penalty and another foray down towards the Springboks’ 22 for the hosts.
Argentina 10-3 South Africa, 11 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is appetite from both teams to play, Argentina particularly. A stabby little kick over the top works to fine effect out of their 22, though a second, more crossfield, number lands only in the hands of a covering Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The Springboks haven’t quite found fluency. A second mishandle in phase play concedes possession.
TRY! ARGENTINA 10-3 South Africa (Benjamin Grondona, 10 minutes)
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina convert the opportunity! A surging score from Benjamin Grondona on the back of a delicious offload!
There looks to be little on with Argentina stalled in the carry, with Cadan Moodie holding up his man. Boris Wenger, though, somehow manages to wriggle his arms free and release Grondona, who has the eye for space and turn of speed to exploit it. Full credit to Wenger – it was the loosehead that earned the position with that scrum penalty, and that was a thing of magic.
Argentina 3-3 South Africa, 7 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Rodrigo Isgro is a superb chaser in the air, and disrupts the restart as Lood de Jager looks to claim, earning Argentina a scrum.
And, in a bit of a surprise, Thomas du Toit hits the deck and is penalised at the first set-piece skirmish. As rare as hen’s teeth. Into the 22 Argentina punt the penalty.
PENALTY! Argentina 3-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 7 minutes)
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Indeed they do. A simple starter for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu off the tee.
Argentina 3-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Pablo Matera pleads his case to judge Christophe Ridley, but the referee isn’t listening to his argument. Matera plucked a loose ball at the base of the ruck, believing it to be exposed and therefore pilfer-able – alas, for him, Ridley disagrees.
South Africa should level the scores.
Argentina 3-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s more like it from Cameron Hanekom, belting an Argentina passer just as he releases the ball. An errant toss sails into touch and gives South Africa a lineout 25 metres out.
Argentina 3-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A soft concession, really, for South Africa, with Cameron Hanekom needleslly high in that challenge. It was clumsy rather than reckless but it’s given Argentina an in.
The Springboks go to work in attack for the first time with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu threatening on the counter. Edwill van der Merwe and Andre Esterhuizen get themselves in a muddle, though, and knock-on.
PENALTY! ARGENTINA 3-0 South Africa (Santiago Carreras, 3 minutes)
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Straight and true from Argentina’s fly half. Santiago Carreras gets Argentina going.
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The crowd jeer as Cameron Hanekom’s tackle slides up over the shoulders of Faustino Sanchez Valarolo. High tackle, penalty to Argentina, and Santiago Carreras points at the posts.
Argentina 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Andre Esterhuizen takes the opening kick off and immediately makes five metres, using a shimmy and then his sheer size.
Cobus Reinach sends up a first box kick, which is safely claimed by Geronimo Prisciantelli.
KICK OFF!
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A peep of Christophe Ridley’s whistle and away we go!
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, here we go. Springboks and Pumas dance again – can Argentina spring a shock and snap South Africa’s winning streak?
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A brass band provide entertaining accompaniment to the two anthems. There’s not quite the atmosphere that England faced in Santiago del Estero, for obvious reasons, but the Argentine crowd give full-throated backing to their team.
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 20:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Out the Springboks come, striding up the steps and out into the Buenos Aires air. Siya Kolisi, as always, has hugs and backslaps for his squad as he welcomes each of them into the line.
The vastly-experienced Pablo Matera leads Argentina out. He’ll be a vital figure today, you’d think, with a few other older heads missing.
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have a Jenga tower in their dressing room. No better way to relax pre-match? A strange one.
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Estadio Jose Amalfitani isn’t particularly near full, though it is a pleasant enough evening in Buenos Aires – 13 degrees and the sun shining.
Argentina vs South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Despite the players they are missing – Marcos Kremer, Santiago Grondona, Joaquin Oviedo and co. – this is still a strong starting back row for the Pumas. We’ll see how Juan Penoucos and Juan Martin Scelzo go off the bench. I’ve seen a bit of the latter in the Top 14 with Stade Francais, and he looks very much in the Argentina back five forward mould, able to flit between the second and back rows with a real physical edge.
Argentina vs South Africa match officials
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
ARs: Luc Ramos (Fra) & Craig Evans (Wal)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
A hit-out or more?
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The temptation is to write this off as little more than a warm-up game for the Springboks ahead of their Tests against New Zealand, but these two have shared some corking contests over the last few years. I was at Twickenham last year to watch a proper belter, settled by only two points:
How South Africa transformed Twickenham to make more Springboks history
Springboks spine returns
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It is pretty scary that South Africa managed to look so superior during the Nations Championship without any of Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu playing a minute. Close chums Etzebeth and Kolisi were due to line up against England before late withdrawals, but get a belated first international outing of the year tonight – Lood de Jager’s return is welcome, too, after a bitty campaign with injury.
I’m excited to see Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu go again, too. So outstanding in 2025, the fly half had his Stormers season curtailed by injury and will want to provide a reminder of his exceptional talent.
Fresh-faced Pumas
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This is a fixture that comes with tricky timing for a primarily Europe-based Argentina squad, with Felipe Contepomi always admirably eager to provide enough rest to some of his stars. It’s still a good Pumas side, though perhaps lacking in a bit of gristle up front particularly.
Bringing through new props has been a key goal of this regime, and Francisco Moreno joins Tomas Rapetti as a youngster being thrown in at the deep end. Rapetti is clearly a player of real promise on Toulouse’s books, while we will learn plenty about Moreno today.
Team news – South Africa
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa welcome back Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu after injury, a handy trio of returnees to strengthen a fearsome-looking side. Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw join captain Kolisi in the back row, with six more forwards readied on the bench.
South Africa XV: 1 Boan Venter, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Cameron Hanekom; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
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 Handre Pollard.
Team news – Argentina
Saturday 8 August 2026 19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina are without a host of regulars for this clash, including key leaders like Julian Montoya, Marcos Kremer and Santiago Chocobares. Tomas Albornoz is suspended so Santiago Carreras moves forward to fly half, with Geronimo Priscinatelli stationed at full-back.
Tighthead prop Franciso Moreno starts on debut with Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos and Juan Martin Scelzo all awaiting their first caps from the bench.
Argentina XV: 1 Boris Wenger, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Francisco Moreno; 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomas Lavanini; 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Benjamin Grondona, 8 Joaquin Moro; 9 Simon Benitez Cruz, 10 Santiago Carreras; 11 Ignacio Mendy, 12 Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Geronimo Prisciantelli.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Tomas Rapetti, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Juan Martin Scelzo; 22 Agustin Moyano, 23 Matias Moroni.
Team news on the way...
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right then – kick off is beginning to loom into view in Buenos Aires. Let’s take a closer look at the two sides...
Springboks out for revenge
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Back rower Elrigh Louw was part of the last South Africa side to visit this particular locale, and still carries the tough memories a one-point defeat that showed how Argentina were flourishing as a Rugby Championship force.
“Argentina is a real quality side, and we learned our lessons from the last time we played here,” said Louw.
“We lost that game in 2024, so the focus for me is on doing my job, and to ensure that we match their physicality, so we certainly took our lessons out of that game and we have been preparing well this week.”
Argentina's odd year
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The pausing of the Rugby Championship to allow South Africa and New Zealand’s series to go ahead has left Argentina with a slightly strange year. The Pumas have already played three times at home in the Nations Championship and are still to welcome Australia to South America for a two-Test tour straddling the end of August. To be fair, they are spreading the love, too, with six different venues for their six home matches – today, we’re in the Estadio Jose Amalfitani, the usual home of Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires.
Argentina player given four-match ban for intimidating referee after England defeat
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Back, then, to today’s fare, and Argentina are without their first-choice fly half: Tomas Albornoz serves the first of a four-match suspension levied this week after intimidating Angus Gardner following the narrow defeat to England.
Argentina player given four-match ban for intimidating referee after England defeat
All Blacks battle past Stormers
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And here is how New Zealand got underway, with a scrappy, spirited encounter against the Stormers eventually settled by a late surge.
All Blacks battle past Stormers in unconvincing start to South Africa tour
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule, kick-off times and how to watch South Africa vs New Zealand
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here’s the full itinerary ahead for the Springboks and All Blacks, who kicked off their tour in Cape Town last night.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule and how to watch Springboks v All Blacks
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Saturday 8 August 2026 18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s set to be a busy six weeks as South Africa and New Zealand collide in a proper tour for the first time in 30 years. There’s plenty going on with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which is laden with history and dripping in narrative around the game’s future:
The deeper significance behind the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Argentina vs South Africa
Friday 7 August 2026 13:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina and South Africa collide as a busy period of Test action continues with an intriguing encounter in Buenos Aires. This fixture is very much not the main event of the Springboks’ summer but meetings between these two have tended to deliver of late, and though the hosts are depleted, an entertaining affair could be in store.
Kick off is at 8pm BST.
