The China Mail - Springboks star Feinberg-Mngomezulu back for Argentina Test

The 24-year-old, who scored a Springbok record 37 points against the South Americans in Durban last year, was sidelined after limping out of a United Rugby Championship match in May.

World champions South Africa have playmaker depth as head coach Rassie Erasmus can choose Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard or recent debutant Vusi Moyo.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one of several first choices set to make in Buenos Aires their first appearances of the season having recovered from injuries or concussion.

The others include captain and flanker Siya Kolisi, locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager and scrum-half Morne van den Berg.

Other first choices, including centre Jesse Kriel and stand-in skipper and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, are being rested after playing three Tests in 15 days during July.

The Argentina Test serves as a warm-up for the Springboks before facing greatest rivals New Zealand in a four-Test series from August 22.

Branded the "Greatest Rivalry", two of the matches will be hosted in different Johannesburg stadiums, one in Cape Town and one in the American city of Baltimore.

"We tried to get the balance right (in selecting) some guys who are returning from injury and who have not had too much game time," said Erasmus.

"The guys who have recovered from their injuries have been training hard this week and are ready to go, so it will be great for them to get a tough Test match under the belt."

South Africa began their season in Jnne with a 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in a non-cap exhibition match.

The Springboks then won three home matches in the inaugural Nations Championship. They beat England 45-21, Scotland 42-28 and Wales 43-0.

Argentina were less successful in their three home matches. They lost 47-38 to Scotland and 31-24 to England in an ill-tempered clash. In between, the Pumas overcame Wales 35-21.

South Africa have played 18 Tests in Argentina, starting in 1993. The record four-time Rugby World Cup title-holders have won 14, lost three and drawn one.

Squad

Forwards: Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi-capt, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese

Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Herchel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe

Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)

K.Lam--ThChM