Mzwandile Stick has hailed the return of several senior Springboks ahead of Saturday's Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, but the assistant coach insists there will be no drop in standards despite Los Pumas fielding a heavily altered side.

Siya Kolisi will captain the Springboks for the first time this year after recovering from a hamstring injury, whilst Eben Etzebeth and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also return from injury lay-offs. The trio headline 13 changes to the starting XV that defeated Wales 43-0 in Durban, with only Aphelele Fassi and Cobus Reinach retained from that comprehensive victory.

"It's good to have these guys back, especially if you look at the experience we've got from them, with Siya, Eben and a guy like Sacha also coming back from injury," Stick said.

The assistant coach revealed that most of the returning players remained embedded in the Springbok environment throughout their rehabilitation, maintaining conditioning levels and mentoring younger squad members. Stick singled out Etzebeth for particular praise, noting the veteran lock's professionalism. "He doesn't get unfit. We know he came with the concussion stuff that he had, but when it comes to fitness, he's always super fit. He looks after himself and he's a very professional player."

Kolisi's involvement extended even deeper. "With Siya, he's been part of our camp, even through those dark days when we started in June with the conditioning camp. He went through all that," Stick explained. "He was just unlucky with the hamstring before one of the games that we were supposed to play, where it was a bit stiff. So, when it comes to conditioning with them, I don't think it's something we're worried about."

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has made an immediate impression since rejoining the squad alongside Morné van den Berg, with Stick noting the fly-half's seamless reintegration.

Argentina facing upheaval

The Springboks will face an Argentina side in considerable flux at Vélez. Pablo Matera captains Los Pumas with Julián Montoya back at his club, whilst Tomás Albornoz serves a four-match suspension for confronting referee Angus Gardner following the England Test in Santiago del Estero. Four uncapped players feature in the match 23, with Felipe Contepomi making 13 changes to the side that lost 31-24 to England.

The absence of Albornoz represents a significant blow for Argentina, depriving them of their first-choice fly-half for their biggest home fixture of the season. The suspension followed widespread criticism of the team's conduct towards match officials, with World Rugby handing down bans in response to the Santiago del Estero aftermath.

Despite the disruption in the Argentina camp, Stick's measured tone suggests the Springboks are taking nothing for granted. The world champions are building towards their upcoming series against New Zealand, and maintaining standards against a weakened but unpredictable opponent will form part of that preparation. With Rassie Erasmus rotating heavily from a position of strength rather than necessity, Saturday's Test offers an opportunity to integrate returning stars whilst keeping momentum ahead of sterner challenges to come.