Rassie Erasmus has made Argentina in Buenos Aires the squad's sole immediate priority, even as the broader context of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand looms over the week's preparations.
The Bok squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday and has completed two days of training. A rest day on Wednesday precedes a final on-field session Thursday, after which the group disperses — the Argentina touring party, to be named Saturday, travelling to South America in two separate groups that day, with the remaining players staying in Johannesburg to begin their All Blacks preparations.
Of the 10 players returning from injury, Erasmus confirmed all but two are available for Buenos Aires. Ox Nche and Franco Mostert remain sidelined with longer-term injuries. Etzebeth, Esterhuizen, Wilco Louw and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are among those back in contention.
"First and foremost, we want to beat Argentina — just like every other team, we want to win every Test match we play," Erasmus said. "Then there's the bigger picture, the Rugby World Cup, which is close to a year away, but you also have to respect the team you play next week."
Erasmus acknowledged the Argentina match will effectively serve as a form guide for the RGR series, even if that was never the fixture's original purpose. "This game is a really good opportunity. Argentina are a quality team, and you'll quickly see who is ready to play against New Zealand two weeks later. That said, this match wasn't planned with that reason in mind — it was always about honouring our relationship with Argentina."
On squad management beyond Buenos Aires, Erasmus outlined a clear principle: players taken on tour who don't feature in the subsequent All Blacks Tests will be released where possible. "We don't want to keep a guy with us and not use him during the All Black series. Taking players on tour without being able to give him a game for his franchise against the All Blacks would not be the right thing." He added that further releases from the broader group remain possible if game time proves insufficient.
Despite the All Blacks announcing their touring squad, Erasmus said he had only glanced at it. "We're all locked in for Argentina. That said, it sounds like everybody's really excited about the squad and the way they've played in the first three Nations Championship games, and we know it's going to be tough."
Erasmus is set to finalise his official RGR squad after the team returns from Argentina.