Argentina have been invited to play world champions South Africa in a Test match in August to mark former president Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, the Argentine union (UAR) said.
The UAR has contacted European club authorities to ask for the release of their international players for the Test in Johannesburg, the Buenos Aires-based body added on its website.
The majority of the Pumas squad who helped Argentina finish third in last year’s World Cup in France are based at French and English clubs and will be involved in pre-season training when the Test is scheduled to be played between August 2 and 9.
”Once this matter has been settled in the coming days the UAR will confirm its participation in the match,” the union said in a statement on Monday.
Mandela, a keen rugby follower who was South Africa’s president when the Springboks won the World Cup for the first time in 1995, was born on July 18 1918.
The UAR, having elected a new president and board last week, is looking to begin a proposed transition towards professional rugby so the Pumas can play in a major annual international competition, most likely the Tri-nations.
While Europe’s elite compete in the Six Nations, and South Africa, New Zealand and Australia play in the southern hemisphere tournament, the Pumas’ only Tests this year will come in the June and November international windows. – Reuters