The Springboks argue that whatever the rugby community says ahead of their Argentina game, they are expecting a tough challenge. Despite an overwhelmingly positive record against Argentina, and the narrative of their one-off Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday being a “warm-up” for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, the Springboks refuse to underestimate their mercurial opposition. He referred to their 32-19 away defeat to Argentina in 2018 as “the biggest hiding our coaching team had here”. Flanker Elrigh Louw likewise reflected on South Africa’s 29-28 defeat in Argentina in 2024, which he was part of. Furthermore, eight Springbok players have fewer than 10 caps, and 11 have 14 caps or fewer under their belts.