Planet Rugby has taken a stab at the Springbok team to face Argentina in Buenos Aires — a match Erasmus has acknowledged will double as a fitness run for players returning from injury. The predicted XV is built around that reality: Etzebeth and De Jager paired in the second row for the first time in a while, Kolisi back at six, Feinberg-Mngomezulu handed the 10 jersey, and Hanekom at eight after being overlooked for the Scotland and Wales Tests. In the backs, Hooker and Moodie are tipped to start in the midfield ahead of what could be a Kriel rest, Van den Berg gets the nod at nine after injury, and Horn is predicted at fullback — which would finally give the coaches a look at him in his primary position for the Boks. One notable call is Wessels starting at hooker rather than Marx, with the piece arguing this match is the right moment to probe what Wessels can offer as a lineout-capable back-up. The bench prediction includes a 5-3 split with Libbok and Fassi among the backs, and Tshituka and Elrigh Louw covering loose forward and lock.
Bok XV vs Argentina predicted: Returning veterans set for minutes ahead of All Blacks series
Planet Rugby predicts an injury-returnee-heavy Bok XV against Argentina, with Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Hanekom all tipped to start as Erasmus uses the one-off Test to bank minutes before the All Blacks series.
Syndesmosis injury could keep Feinberg-Mngomezulu out for three months
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a three-month absence after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the Stormers' URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, potentially ruling him out of the Nations Championship Tests and part of the All Blacks series.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle injury puts Rugby Nations Championship opener in doubt
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss at least the first three rounds of the Rugby Nations Championship after injuring his ankle in the Stormers' URC quarterfinal win over Cardiff, adding to a growing list of Springbok halfback concerns that already includes Cobus Reinach's knee injury.
Rassie on Alles Ep 1 | The Barbarians in the Bay
The #Springboks kick off their season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, a place close to the hearts of Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick, and Deon Davids. The three Bok coaches discuss why it's special to return to the Eastern Cape and what
Erasmus: winning stays non-negotiable, whatever the World Cup build-up demands
Erasmus has made his 2025 season intent explicit: rotation and World Cup-building happen inside a framework where winning remains the non-negotiable baseline. The piece breaks down what that means for squad management, the veterans' standing, and why the All Blacks series carries extra weight.
The Barbarians hit-out is a key cog in Rassie's World Cup machine
Nel makes the case that the Barbarians fixture is less about the result and more about Erasmus stress-testing depth, blooding uncapped talent, and keeping the World Cup-winning core fresh — all with 2027 firmly in mind.