Five burning questions as the Springboks face Argentina in Buenos Aires

With the first of four back-to-back clashes against the All Blacks just two weeks away, this is no ordinary warm-up match. Erasmus has brought together returning stars and some exciting new combinations, giving us plenty to watch for under the lights at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.

Here are five burning questions that need answering.

1. Can Siya, Lood and Eben hit the ground running?

Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth return from injury lay-offs to once again form the spine of the Springbok pack. Kolisi captains the side from the flank, while Etzebeth and De Jager reunite in the second row. 

These three giants have been the heartbeat of the Boks for years, but their recent absences raises the question: can they still operate at the elite level required?

Argentina are likely to test them early and often, while the Springboks will need their physicality, leadership and set-piece dominance from the outset. Anything short of their best could leave Erasmus with some difficult decisions to make before the Greatest Rivalry kicks off - but don't bet against the Bok veterans making an immediate impact.

2. Is Sacha ready for the All Blacks?

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu steps straight back into the No 10 jersey after ankle surgery that sidelined him for the tail-end of the URC and the home leg of the Nations Championship. 

The prodigy has talked about working hard on rehab and being ready to do his job, but it's his performances on the field that will need to do all the talking. To his credit, the Bok flyhalf seems to realise as much, cutting a focused and intense figure at the Springboks' press conference earlier this week.

His distribution, kicking game, and ability to control tempo are sure to be under the microscope. A confident, composed performance would give Erasmus huge confidence heading into the All Blacks series. 

3. Just how good is the Moodie/Esterhuizen centre combo?

Canan Moodie and Andre Esterhuizen are set to combine in the midfield for only the second time in Bok history. Notably, the last time the duo started together as a centre pairing, they lit up Twickenham Stadium, helping deliver what was at the time the All Blacks' heaviest defeat, a 35-7 thrashing.

That was later surpassed by the 43-10 thumping at the hands of the Boks in Wellington - and wouldn't you know it - Moodie and Esterhuizen combined in the midfield on that occasion as well. While Damian Willemse started at 12 on that day, a first-half injury to Aphelele Fassi forced a reshuffle, with Esterhuizen coming on at inside centre alongside Moodie and Willemse moving to fullback.

While it is hard to fault what Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel bring in terms of power and defensive solidity, the Bok backline does seem to get an attacking boost when Moodie and Esterhuizen are operating in tandem, and it will be fascinating to see how they go on Saturday.

4. Where does Aphelele Fassi fit into the Springboks' plans?

Aphelele Fassi gets another start at fullback, one of only two survivors from the side that thrashed Wales, but questions around him continue to linger. 

After an injury-hit and inconsistent spell at franchise level, and with a move to Japan for a sabbatical after the international season, Fassi feels like he has more to prove than most - and that's not just because of Damian Willemse's impressive form of late.

If Fassi is solid under the high ball, sharp in his decision-making and clinical when opportunities come his way, he will go a long way towards silencing some of the doubters, and no doubt Erasmus is giving him another chance to do exactly that.

5. What is the pecking order at No 8?

Jasper Wiese has been the regular starter, Evan Roos has pushed hard for more opportunities, and now Cameron Hanekom gets the nod at No 8 against the Pumas. The young Bulls star has shown explosive carrying and work-rate, and has certainly earned another crack at the jersey.

With Wiese staying behind in Johannesburg to prepare for the All Blacks and Roos released back to his franchise, Hanekom has a clear opportunity to stake his claim. 

A big, dominant display in Buenos Aires could shake up the pecking order, or at least give him the clear edge over Roos in the battle for the backup spot.