South Africa and Argentina have played three times before in Salta. The first Test, in 2014, was won 33-31 by the Springboks, while the Pumas won the second encounter at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in 2016, also by two points (26-24).

The last encounter between the two countries in Salta was in 2017, when Eben Etzebeth’s team, playing in a special edition red jersey, triumphed by a winning margin of 18 points (41-23), which was also the Boks’ biggest Castle Lager Rugby Championship victory in Argentina.

The biggest win was in 2004 when John Smit’s team won 39-7 in Buenos Aires, while the biggest loss occurred last year in Mendoza when the Boks were thumped 19-32.

Overall, The Springboks have played 14 Test matches in Argentina against the Pumas, with 11 victories, two defeats and one draw, for a win percentage of 79%.

Miscellaneous:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 555. There are 175 caps in the backline with 380 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 275 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline are 25, the forwards 48 while the players on the bench average 34.
• The average age of the starting fifteen is 28.
• Eben Etzebeth is the third most capped Springbok lock with his 77 Tests. Victor Matfield (127) and Bakkies Botha (85) are the most capped Springbok locks.
• Tendai Mtawarira is the most capped Springbok prop with his 109 Test matches.

Milestones and Records:

• The Springboks need 12 points to reach 1 000 points against Argentina. It will only be the third time that South Africa scored 1 000 points against another country – the other two countries being New Zealand and Australia.
• Handré Pollard needs 17 points to reach 150 career points in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and two points to reach 50 career points against Argentina.
• Tendai Mtawarira will join Bryan Habana on 53 appearances and the most capped Springboks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

Springbok record against the Pumas in Argentina:

• Played 14, Won 11, Lost 2, Drawn 1, Points for 462, Points against 305, Tries for 54, Tries against 29, Win % 79.

Team records against Argentina in Argentina:

• Most points: 52 – 13 November 1993 in Buenos Aires.
• Most tries: 7 – 13 November 1993 and 9 November 1996, both in Buenos Aires.
• Most conversions: 4 – On five occasions.
• Most penalty goals: 5 – 24 August 2013 in Mendoza.
• Most drop goals: 1 – 5 November 2005 and 15 August 2015, both in Buenos Aires.

Individual records against Argentina in Argentina:

• Most points: 24 by Gaffie du Toit on 4 December 2004 in Buenos Aires.
• Most tries: 2 by seven players, with the late James Small on two occasions.
• Most conversions: 4 by four players.
• Most penalty goals: 5 by Morné Steyn on 24 August 2013 in Mendoza.
• Most drop goals: 1 each by Bolla Conradie (5 November 2005) and Pat Lambie (15 August 2015) both in Buenos Aires.

All Test matches against Argentina:

• Played 28, Won 24, Lost 3, Drawn 1, Points for 988, Points against 563, Tries for 118, Tries against 53, Win % 86.

Team records:

• Most points: 73 in Johannesburg on 17 August 2013.
• Most tries: 9 in Johannesburg on 9 August 2008 and on 17 August 2013.
• Most conversions: 9 in Johannesburg on 9 August 2008.
• Most penalty goals: 5 in Mendoza on 24 August 2013.
• Most drop goals: 1 on two occasions (5 November 2005 and 15 August 2015) in Buenos Aires.

Individual records:

• Most points: 28 by Morné Steyn (8c, 4p) in Johannesburg on 17 August 2013.
• Most tries: 2 by 14 players with the late James Small on two occasions.
• Most conversions: 9 by Butch James in Johannesburg on 9 August 2008.
• Most penalty goals: 5 by Morné Steyn in Mendoza on 24 August 2013.
• Most drop goals: 1 each by Bolla Conradie (5 November 2005) and Pat Lambie (15 August 2015) both in Buenos Aires.

Career records:

• Most caps: 16 by Tendai Mtawarira and 15 by Eben Etzebeth
• Most tries: Bryan Habana – 8
• Most conversions: Morné Steyn – 15; with Handré Pollard on 9.
• Most penalty goals: Morné Steyn – 18; with Handré Pollard on 10.
• Most points: Morné Steyn – 84; with Handré Pollard on 48.

Match officials:

• The referee is Romain Poite of France. This will be his 12^th Test match as a referee with South Africa involved and the 63^rd Test match in his career.
• The Assistant Referees are Matthew Carley and Karl Dickson, both from England, while Rowan Kitt, also from England, will be the TMO.