Captain Siya Kolisi, lock pair Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and scrumhalf Morné van den Berg all return after recovering from injury. Powerful centre André Esterhuizen and winger Ethan Hooker are also back in the starting XV after overcoming injuries they picked up during last month’s Nations Championship.

Erasmus has made 13 changes to the side that comfortably defeated Wales 43–0 in Durban, with only seven players from that squad retained in the match-day 23. Of those, just fullback Aphelele Fassi and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach retain their places in the starting lineup.

Siya Kolisi. Photo: Morgan Piek

The remaining five survivors from the Wales victory – Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese and Gerhard Steenekamp – will all provide cover off the bench.

The Springboks boast an entirely new forward pack, with Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Thomas du Toit forming the front row. Etzebeth reunites with De Jager in the second row, while Kolisi, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom complete the loose trio.

Behind the scrum, Reinach partners Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback. Esterhuizen links up with Canan Moodie in midfield, while Hooker joins Edwill van der Merwe and Fassi in an exciting back three.

Erasmus believes the trip to Argentina offers the ideal opportunity for several returning players to regain valuable Test-match rhythm.

“This is the perfect occasion for players like Siya, Eben, Lood, Sacha, Morné and the others returning from injury to get a tough Test under the belt,” Erasmus said.

“Argentina is a quality side and they’ll push us all the way. The players have worked incredibly hard during their rehabilitation, and there is no better way to assess where they are than against the Pumas in Argentina.”

He added those who have waited patiently for opportunities had earned their chance after the coaching staff experimented with combinations during the previous Tests.

Erasmus expects another fierce encounter against Los Pumas, who have proved to be formidable opponents on home soil.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: Morgan Piek

“They’re very similar to South Africans in many respects. Their passion for their country and the way they fight for every minute of the game is something we respect enormously,” he said.

“They’ve beaten us in Argentina before, produced some excellent performances in the Nations Championship, and they’ll be desperate to make a statement this weekend. We know exactly what challenge awaits us.”

The Springbok coach is confident the blend of experienced Rugby World Cup winners and emerging talent can deliver a strong performance.

“The squad has adapted well to the time zone, trained with great intensity and shown plenty of determination. We have full confidence they’ll rise to the occasion.”

Cobus Reinach. Photo: Morgan Piek

Erasmus also highlighted the quality throughout the Argentine squad under head coach Felipe Contepomi, warning that the Springboks will have to be clinical throughout the contest.

“They have a powerful pack, dangerous backs and a passionate home crowd behind them. We’ll need to be accurate, take our opportunities and maintain our intensity for the full 80 minutes if we want to come away with the result.”

The once-off Test in Buenos Aires kicks off at 21:10 on Saturday.

Argentina – TBA

Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter

Replacements –16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm