The Springboks are treating Saturday’s Test against Argentina with total respect.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has dismissed any suggestions that South Africa’s clash against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires is merely a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
Speaking to the media following the team’s arrival in South America, Davids emphasized that the world champions hold themselves to non-negotiable standards regardless of the opponent.
“A Big Mistake to Underestimate Los Pumas”
“I don’t think we approach this as a warm-up,” Davids stated firmly. “We approach every Test match as a game that is important in terms of what we want to achieve and what we stand for as a team… Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, it’s always been a story of grinding it out right until the end. If you come here with the mentality of seeing it as a warm-up, that’s a big mistake.”
Strategic Split-Squad Strategy
The Springboks landed in Argentina with a 26-man travelling squad. Meanwhile, a separate group—alongside attack coach Tony Brown and Mobi-Unit coach Duane Vermeulen—remained in Johannesburg to begin preparations for the incoming All Blacks tour.
The match in Buenos Aires will also mark crucial game-time returns for recovering stars including Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as they build back to full Test fitness.
- Kick-off: Saturday, 8 August 2026 @ 21:00 SAST
Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour Schedule
The All Blacks arrive in South Africa for an historic 8-match tour—comprising 4 provincial clashes against Super Rugby franchises and a 4-Test series against the Springboks (concluding in Baltimore, USA):
| Date | Match / Fixture | Venue | Kick-off (SA Time) |
| Fri 7 Aug | DHL Stormers vs New Zealand | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town | 19:10 |
| Tue 11 Aug | Hollywoodbets Sharks vs New Zealand | Kings Park Stadium, Durban | 19:10 |
| Sat 15 Aug | Vodacom Bulls vs New Zealand | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | 19:10 |
| Sat 22 Aug | 1st Test: South Africa vs New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | 17:10 |
| Tue 25 Aug | Fidelity ADT Lions vs New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | 19:10 |
| Sat 29 Aug | 2nd Test: South Africa vs New Zealand | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town | 17:10 |
| Sat 5 Sep | 3rd Test: South Africa vs New Zealand | FNB Stadium, Johannesburg | 17:10 |
| Sat 12 Sep | 4th Test: South Africa vs New Zealand | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (USA) | 23:00 |
