Argentina player ratings vs Springboks | International Rugby 2026

The Springboks have held on to beat Argentina 17-10 in Buenos Aires as they prepare for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the All Blacks.

The game was in the balance until the 83rd minute, when Argentina had the chance to level the scores but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunities South Africa gave them late on.

Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks will be better off for the Test match in preparation for the upcoming tour, having been challenged in various aspects of the contest.

Felipe Contepomi would have gone into the sheds at half-time as the happier coach, spending much of the first half ahead at the Estadio José Amalfitani.

The Springboks forced Argentina to make 90 tackles compared to their 67, but the home side responded to the pressure.

Here’s how the Argentina players rated in the narrow loss.

1. Boris Wenger – 8
Forced Springboks powerhouse prop Thomas Du Toit to infringe at the game’s first scrum. Found Benjamin Grondona in space with an offload in a strong tackle from the Springboks defenders, providing the try-assist for Argentina’s first try. Apart from one infringement at scrum time, the prop had a superb outing, adding 15 tackles and eight carries in his 56-minute shift.

2. Ignacio Ruiz – 8.5
Argentina’s best on the night. Outstanding performance in Buenos Aires. Five-from-five at lineout time in the opening 40 minutes, and led the game with 15 tackles at the break. Ruiz left the field in the 65th minute after an error-free performance at lineout time against the Springboks, while making a mammoth 25 tackles in defence. Ruiz was physical and didn’t back down from the tough challenge against a motivated Springboks pack.

3. Francisco Moreno – 6.5
Held up his side of the scrum on debut during the first half, without being penalised. Another one of the Argentinian forwards who were forced to get up off the ground on several occasions, with the Springboks attacking largely around the ruck close to the line. Replaced at halftime.

4. Guido Petti – 6.5
Penalised close to his own line for a no-arms tackle on Eben Etzebeth, and struggled to impose himself without giving penalties away. Battled brilliantly against both Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, and helped run and dominate the lineout against the Springboks, an aspect of the game Erasmus’ side pride themselves on.

5. Tomas Lavanini – 6
Contributed efficiently around the park, without standing out. Stood up to the physical battle of the Springboks forwards, making seven tackles in his 43-minute shift. The Highlanders lock also made three carries.

6. Pablo Matera – 7
Effective opening period with ball in hand, despite giving away a penalty. Inspirational throughout, and the Springboks couldn’t shrug the Argentinian centurion off on defence. Extraordinary kick to earn Argentina a 50/22 during the final stages, allowing his side to level the scores.

7. Benjamin Grondona – 7
The Bristol Bears flanker didn’t take a backwards step against the Springboks, providing the home side with a physical presence at the breakdown and around the field. Grondona charged over the line in the first half, finding some open space in the Springboks defence on the back of a Wenger offload. Overall, it was a combative display by the 22-year-old, who was replaced in the 50th minute with eleven carries.

8. Joaquin Moro – 7
Dropped a short ball from Wenger when Argentina started to build phases, but otherwise, a promising first half from the Leicester Tigers loose-forward. Moro made 13 tackles in the first 40 minutes, pushing the Springboks back on a number of occasions. The 25-year-old’s 65-minute shift was built off an immense work ethic, making 24 tackles on the night.

9. Simon Benitez Cruz – 6
Sharp early chip kick that Ignacio Mendy regathered, and was lightning quick to attacking rucks during the first 20 minutes. Busy on defence in and around the ruck, and scooped up a nice turnover on a Springboks overthrown lineout. Off early in the second half.

10. Santiago Carreras – 5.5
Slotted an early penalty from 40m out, but otherwise a uncharacteristic quiet evening. Carreras missed one penalty opportunity in the second half, and was mostly used to shift the ball onto ball carriers. A couple of odd decisions at times, gifting the Springboks back the ball. Missed a game-high three tackles.

11. Ignacio Mendy – 7.5
Mendy looked electric with ball in hand in open space, but couldn’t capitalise on his mini-breaks. He was, though, Argentina’s most lively in attack when coming off his wing to contribute. Mendy left the field in the 56th minute with a game-leading four line breaks, and a strong overall performance against the Springboks.

12. Faustino Sanchez Valarolo – 6
Powerful and tough to take down with ball in hand. Bumped off some Springboks defenders over the course of the opening 40 minutes, and was physical defensively. Finished the game with nine tackles completed.

13. Lucio Cinti – 6
An average afternoon for the Saracens midfielder. Was error-free, but couldn’t quite help Argentina string enough phases together in the backline. Made seven carries and nine tackles in his 80-minute performance, but no doubt the 26-year-old would have liked to influence the game more.

14. Rodrigo Isgro – 5
A mostly ineffective outing from the right-winger, as the 27-year-old couldn’t get his hands on any opportunities in the game. Argentina’s attack was forced to adjust on multiple occasions, and it just didn’t fall Isgro’s way. Couldn’t gather a poor Carreras pass in the 65th minute.

15. Geronimo Prisciantelli – 7
Inch-perfect right-to-left crossfield kick for Mendy, starting a counter-attacking opportunity. Another Argentina outside-back that can be proud of his individual performance, showing glimpses of what he’s capable. Led the home side’s carry count for large periods of the contest, but couldn’t break a resolute Springboks defence. Mopped up Springboks attacks late in the game, providing great covering defence.

Replacements – 5

Tomas Rapetti provided immediate impact in the second half, intercepting a Springboks backline play. The other replacements struggled to bring the same intensity from the starters, getting pushed back at scrum time late in the game. Leonel Oviedo on debut couldn’t continue Argentina’s 100 per cent lineout accuracy, throwing one not straight. The backline replacements carried strongly in the final moments, but couldn’t come up with the game-levelling play.