The Springboks face a tricky Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, in their last match before the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand.
They have been boosted by the return of several stars, including Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who have been out injured, but will need them to hit the ground running.
South Africa have dominated world rugby over the last seven years, winning the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. Since the latter triumph, they have also won the last two Rugby Championship titles.
The tournament is on hold this year, having shifted from an annual to biennial basis, accommodating the newly-formed Nations Championship.
South Africa have not, however, been utterly dominant against Los Pumas away from home. Their most recent clash with Argentina was a 29-27 win in Twickenham last year, while their last visit to Argentina resulted in a 29-28 defeat in 2024 in Santiago del Estero.
Key details
Date: Saturday, August 8 at 9 p.m. CAT (4 p.m. local time in Buenos Aires, 8 p.m. BST, 7 p.m. GMT)
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani
How to watch: The match will be on SuperSport for South African viewers - airing on DSTV channels 201 and 211
Officials:
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referee 1: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Foul Play Review Officer: Ian Tempest (England)
Team news
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returns from a two-month layoff due to surgery on an ankle injury sustained while playing for the Stormers.
Captain and flanker Siya Kolisi returns from injury, as do veteran locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager.
Among the backs, centre Andre Esterhuizen and wing Ethan Hooker also start after recent niggles. Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is back from a torn bicep, but on the bench. Cobus Reinach partners with Feinberg-Mngomezulu among the half-backs.
Argentina: TBC
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre 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 Morne van den Berg, 23 Handre Pollard
Stats
The Springboks may have lost on their last visit to Argentina in the North of the country, but they have won all 10 Tests against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires.
South Africa have won 35, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their 40 matches against Argentina since 1993 - including victories in their last three Tests.