Led by skipper Pablo Matera (pictured), Argentina will face the Springboks in Buenos Aires without eight European-based players because the match falls outside the international window. Picture: ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP
Argentina will face the Springboks in Buenos Aires on Saturday night without a host of key players, leaving the Pumas with a daunting task against the world champions.
Coach Felipe Contepomi has been forced to leave out several of his regulars based in Europe because the match falls outside the international window.
The unusual situation is a consequence of the Rugby Championship being scrapped this year to make way for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour between South Africa and New Zealand.
Among the players unavailable to Contepomi are regular captain Julián Montoya, flank Marcos Kremer, flyhalf Tomás Albornoz, centre Santiago Chocobares, No 8 Joaquín Oviedo, scrumhalf Gonzalo García, centre Justo Piccardo and winger Bautista Delguy.
