South Africa went three-from-three in their Nations Championship games, despite selecting different teams in each, but have named a strong line-up for Saturday's match against Argentina.
Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu all start as the Springboks rev up for their 'Greatest Rivalry' opener against New Zealand on 22nd August.
Argentina were unlucky to lose their most recent Test to England when a late TMO call went against them.
A try was correctly ruled out for the ball being grounded in touch, but they could have had two penalties for high shots in the build-up.
Their antics towards the officials, opponents and press after that game have won them few friends and were indicative of a bitty July campaign where they played limited rugby and showed little ambition in possession.
This game is a shot at redemption, but they look likely to try to go toe-to-toe with their visitors, and it could be a bruising night for the hosts at the Estadio Jose Amalfitano.
Argentina v South Africa Tips Summary
Best Bet - South Africa handicap 2-way -21.5 @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu anytime tryscorer @ 1/1
Bet Builder - Total over 46.5 points, Highest scoring half - 2nd, Canan Moodie to score a try & Ethan Hooker to score a try @ 6/1
Argentina v South Africa Prediction
Best Bet: South Africa handicap 2-way -21.5 @ 1/1
The Springboks blew the Pumas away in Durban last year, winning 67-30. However, their return game in the Nations Championship was closer, the Boks winning 29-27 in London.
They triumphed 24-13 the last time the teams met in Buenos Aires in a 2023 World Cup warm-up fixture.
A late missed kick by Manie Libbok meant Argentina were the 29-28 victors on the most recent occasion these sides clashed on South American soil, in Santiago del Estero in 2024.
The Pumas usually lift themselves at home, but assessing July's results, they were awful in defeat to Scotland, middling as they saw off Wales and played around 20 minutes of decent rugby against England.
Felipe Contepomi's dealings with the press and his squad's demeanours suggest they are not happy about something. Their public behaviour is bordering on immature, and they are not doing their talent justice.
They are also without captain Julian Montoya and playmaker Tomas Albornoz, who received bans for their actions after the England defeat.
Argentina will look to wind the South Africans up, but while Rassie Erasmus has experimented in some positions, this matchday 23 is packed with both skill and experience.
The visitors have covered the handicap in 65 per cent of the matches since the last World Cup and are capable of going beyond Saturday's 18.5-point mark.
Alternative Bet: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu anytime tryscorer @ 1/1
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu made history against Argentina last year, when his 37 points in Durban set a record for the most by a South African player in a Test match.
Injuries have impacted him in 2026, and this will be his first international appearance of the year after undergoing ankle surgery.
The 24-year-old will be gunning to show he deserves the number 10 shirt against the All Blacks and a player with nine tries in 19 Tests deserves support.
Argentina v South Africa Bet Builder Tip
Total over 46.5 points
Highest scoring half - 2nd
Canan Moodie to score a try
Ethan Hooker to score a try
Pays 6/1
Argentina's last 12 games have all seen both teams score more than 20 points, so pushing the total to over 46.5 points is an easy way to begin a Bet Builder.
Both teams have selected a six-two split on the bench and those fresh legs could exploit any fatigue experienced by those starters still remaining.
The second half has been the highest-scoring in 14 of South Africa's last 18 games, so expect more points after the break.
A pair who could exploit those spaces for the Springboks are outside centre Canan Moodie and left wing Ethan Hooker. Erasmus likes players who can fulfil different roles and it would be no surprise to see them swap positions during Saturday's game.
Moodie scored a try from the wing when the teams last met in Buenos Aires in 2023, while Hooker can be just as dangerous in open space and the pair may relish the opportunity to outfox their defenders by switching roles.
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Key Match Stats
South Africa have won 35 of the two countries' 40 meetings, including 11 of the last 12
Argentina won only one of their three games in the Nations Championship, while South Africa won all three
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored 37 points against Argentina in Durban last year, the most in a Test by a Springbok
Both teams have scored more than 20 points in South Africa's last 12 games
The second half has been the highest scoring in 14 of the Springboks' last 18 matches
Canan Moodie scored a try when these teams last played in Buenos Aires in 2023
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
