The Springboks touched down in Buenos Aires on Sunday to kick-start preparations for two must-win Rugby Championship clashes with Argentina.

The All Blacks sit atop the log on 10 points, followed by the three remaining contenders all on nine points with two rounds to go.

A nine-year drought for South Africa ended on Saturday when the Springboks put in a rousing performance in Sydney to beat the Wallabies 24-8 and claim a first victory on Australian soil since 2013.

But the world champions’ focus now shift to the Pumas and victory will likely be non-negotiable at Estadio José Amalfitani on Saturday, 17 September, followed by the Durban Test on 24 September, the return fixture likely to present a more realistic bonus-point incentive.

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However, the last time the Springboks travelled to Argentina – during the 2019 Rugby Championship – they thrashed the Pumas 46-13 and South Africa went on to win the title followed by the World Cup.

Given a history of tough Tests when the teams have met in Argentina, it might come as a surprise that the Pumas have only twice won at home against the visiting Boks, who have recorded 12 victories in 15 matches in Argentina, with one clash ending in a draw in Mendoza back in 2013.

Of the 15 matches played in South Africa, the Boks have only once lost to Argentina with a 37-25 defeat in 2015 at Kings Park, the same venue that will host this year’s return leg.

Michael Cheika’s year got off to an impressive start as Argentina clinched a hard-fought 2-1 series victory over Scotland, but the Rugby Championship has proved to be quite the roller-coaster ride.

The Pumas started their campaign with a 41-26 loss to Australia in Mendoza, before bouncing back for a record 48-17 win over the Wallabies in San Juan. They followed this up by beating New Zealand 25-18 in Christchurch – their first victory over the All Blacks on Kiwi soil – before being thrashed 53-3 in Hamilton on Saturday.

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