Pumas set to unleash new generation against Springboks

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi is poised to hand a host of new faces their Test debuts against the Springboks after naming 10 uncapped players in a 36-man squad for the upcoming international window.

Having not used any of the five uncapped players in his Nations Championship squad during July, Contepomi appears ready to test Argentina’s depth when the Pumas host world champions South Africa in Buenos Aires on August 8 before taking on Australia in a two-Test series later that month.

With the Rugby Championship not being played in 2026, the three-Test window provides Argentina with a valuable opportunity to build squad depth just over a year out from the 2027 World Cup.

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Eight players are in line to make their Test debuts: Franco Carrera, Agustín Fraga, Francisco Moreno, Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos, Juan Martín Scelzo, Mateo Soler and Tobías Wade. Flanker Facundo Cardozo and centre Benjamín Ortiz have also been included as development players.

Several key absences have accelerated the changing of the guard. Captain Julián Montoya is unavailable, while first-choice flyhalf Tomás Albornoz is sidelined after being charged with misconduct by World Rugby following Argentina’s ill-tempered defeat to England on 18 July.

His absence opens the door for four-cap flyhalf Gerónimo Prisciantelli to stake a claim for a regular starting role.

Contepomi has also welcomed back loosehead prop Rodrigo Martínez, who is yet to feature under his tenure, while veteran lock Tomás Lavanini returns to the national setup for the first time since Argentina’s defeat to South Africa in September 2024.

Experienced centre Matías Moroni is also on the verge of a major milestone. Should he feature in all three Tests, he will become just the seventh Puma to earn 100 Test caps, following Guido Petti and Matías Alemanno, who both reached the landmark during the July internationals.

Contepomi believes the upcoming fixtures against South Africa and Australia will provide the perfect test of his squad.

“These three upcoming matches are very important for us. We’ll be hosting the two-time world champions and playing a series against the Wallabies, which always presents very challenging encounters. The goal is to have excellent preparation and be ready for these matches.

“Physical and mental health is crucial for us, and that’s why several players will be rested, allowing us to broaden the squad and work with new players. As we always emphasise, our goal is to prepare players to be successful with Los Pumas.”

Argentina squad:

Forwards

Loose-head props: Rodrigo Martínez (3 caps), Mayco Vivas (42 caps), Boris Wenger (8 caps)
Hookers: Leonel Oviedo (uncapped), Ignacio Ruiz (30 caps)
Tight-head props: Pedro Delgado (11 caps), Francisco Moreno (uncapped), Tomás Rapetti (6 caps)
Locks: Franco Carrera (uncapped), Efraín Elías (3 caps), Tomás Lavanini (91 caps), Guido Petti (101 caps)
Flanker: Facundo Cardozo (uncapped)*, Benjamín Grondona (2 caps), Pablo Matera (124 caps), Juan Penoucos (uncapped)
No.8: Joaquin Moro (5 caps), Juan Martín Scelzo (uncapped)

Backs

Scrumhalf: Simón Benítez Cruz (12 caps), Gonzalo Bertranou (68 caps), Agustín Moyano (9 caps)
Flyhalf: Gerónimo Prisciantelli (4 caps), Nicolás Roger (3 caps)
Centre: Faustino Sánchez Valarolo (2 caps), Benjamín Ordiz (uncapped)*, Lucio Cinti (42 caps), Agustín Fraga (uncapped), Matías Moroni (97 caps)
Wing: Rodrigo Isgró (17 caps), Ignacio Mendy (5 caps), Santiago Pernas (1 cap)
Fullback: Santiago Carreras (67 caps), Mateo Soler (uncapped), Tobías Wade (uncapped)