Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini must set the tone in the physicality exchanges against the Springboks on Saturday.
Argentina will be severely depleted for Saturday’s standalone Test against the Springboks, with Los Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi forced to manage a massive casualty list and the unavailability of key European-based stars.
Because 2026 features no official Rugby Championship — cleared from the calendar to accommodate the Springboks and All Blacks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry expanded multi-Test series — these upcoming fixtures fall outside the standard global release period window.
Contepomi has had to directly negotiate player access with northern hemisphere clubs. As a result, several high-profile names, including regular skipper Julian Montoya, powerful back-rower Marcos Kremer, flyhalf Tomas Albornoz, and midfield enforcer Santiago Chocobares, are entirely unavailable for selection against the reigning world champions.
The lengthy list of absentees highlights the fine line Argentine management must walk: balancing competitive short-term results, protecting player welfare ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup cycle, and maintaining functional relationships with professional clubs in the French Top 14 and English Premiership.
