Argentina Name 10 Uncapped Players for Springbok Test 2026

Felipe Contepomi has been left with little choice. European club commitments have stripped Los Pumas of some of their most experienced operators, and the Argentina head coach has responded by naming 10 uncapped players in a 34-man squad for back-to-back home Tests against the Springboks and Wallabies next month.

Argentina Forced to Debut Multiple Players

The world champions arrive in Buenos Aires next Saturday for what promises to be a compelling contest, with Contepomi forced to blood fresh faces against the most battle-hardened side on the planet. Argentina then host Australia on 29 August and again on 5 September in what amounts to a gruelling three-Test home stretch.

The absences are significant. Joaquin Oviedo, Julian Montoya, Gonzalo Garcia, Justo Piccardo and Bautista Delguy are all unavailable due to club obligations in Europe — a recurring headache for southern hemisphere coaches in the northern-dominated calendar era. Their loss strips Contepomi of proven Test-match know-how at crucial positions.

New Faces Lead Forward Pack

Up front, the new faces arrive in numbers. Loose forwards Facundo Cardozo, Juan Martin Scelzo and Juan Penoucos are all in line for their first caps, joined by lock Franco Carrera, prop Francisco Moreno and hooker Leonel Oviedo. Six uncapped forwards in one squad is a bold call at any level, let alone against a Springbok pack that dismantled Wales 43-0 in their last outing.

The backline is no different. Centre Benjamin Ordiz, wing Agustin Fraga and fullbacks Mateo Soler and Tobias Wade all carry the potential to make their Test bows during this window. Four uncapped backs adds another layer of uncertainty to an Argentina side that has looked inconsistent in the World Nations Championship — losing 24-31 to England most recently after beating Wales 35-21 in the opening round.

The full squad reads: Forwards — Facundo Cardozo, Franco Carrera, Pedro Delgado, Efrain Elias, Benjamin Grondona, Tomas Lavanini, Rodrigo Martinez, Pablo Matera, Francisco Moreno, Joaquin Moro, Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos, Guido Petti, Tomas Rapetti, Ignacio Ruiz, Juan Martin Scelzo, Mayco Vivas, Boris Wenger. Backs — Simon Benitez Cruz, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Agustin Fraga, Rodrigo Isgro, Ignacio Mendy, Matias Moroni, Agustin Moyano, Benjamin Ordiz, Santiago Pernas, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Nicolas Roger, Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, Mateo Soler, Tobias Wade.

Springboks Prepare for Inexperienced Opposition

For the Springboks, this selection picture changes nothing about the preparation required. Rassie Erasmus will know better than anyone that a desperate, inexperienced Argentina side playing in front of a hostile Buenos Aires crowd can be every bit as dangerous as a fully-loaded one. Los Pumas have proven that before. The Boks will need to be sharp from minute one.

With the Springbok squad already confirmed for this tour, the countdown to Buenos Aires is well underway. Whether Contepomi's rookies can seize the moment against the world champions will define how this Argentina rebuilding project is viewed heading into the Rugby Championship proper.