The Springboks are expected to name a powerful line-up for their one-off Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 8 August, with several key players returning from injury and others in line for increased international involvement.
South Africa announced a 26-man touring squad on Friday for the trip, which includes the returning Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg.
The match will kick off at 21:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The probable Springboks team features Aphelele Fassi at full-back, with Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen and Edwill van der Merwe completing the backline.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is expected to start at fly-half, while Herschel Jantjies could be selected at scrum-half. Cameron Hanekom is tipped to wear the number eight jersey, with Ben-Jason Dixon and captain Kolisi making up the rest of the loose forwards.
De Jager and Etzebeth are the likely second-row pairing, while Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp could form the starting front row.
Possible Springboks team
15 Aphelele Fassi; 14 Ethan Hooker; 13 Canan Moodie; 12 Andre Esterhuizen; 11 Edwill van der Merwe; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 9 Herschel Jantjies; 8 Cameron Hanekom; 7 Ben-Jason Dixon; 6 Siya Kolisi; 5 Lood de Jager; 4 Eben Etzebeth; 3 Zachary Porthen; 2 Johan Grobbelaar; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
The replacements could be Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn.
If head coach Rassie Erasmus selects that matchday 23, experienced internationals Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach and Thomas du Toit would be left out of the squad for the game.
Their omission would largely reflect the coaching staff’s familiarity with what the trio can offer, while the selected players would be given the chance to gain more Test experience.
Erasmus said Argentina would provide a demanding test for his side.
“Argentina are a quality outfit and we know we will be in for a massive challenge in Buenos Aires, so we are preparing for a physical and gruelling battle over there.
“They are a well-coached team, who have tested us in the last few years, while they have also been competitive in the Nations Championship, so it will be a good test for us as a team.”
The full travelling squad is made up of 15 forwards and 11 backs.
The forwards are Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Cobus Wiese.
The backs are Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Herschel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg and Edwill van der Merwe.
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