Pumas' Juan Martin Hernandez to miss Springboks game
Injured Argentinian flyhalf to miss game against the Springboks, the only major nation they have lost every match against
Argentina's chance of a first victory in the Rugby Championship at home to South Africa in Mendoza today has taken a dramatic turn for the worse with the loss of flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez through injury.
The Pumas dream of ending a record of 14 defeats in as many meetings with the Springboks, the last a 27-6 loss in their debut in the southern hemisphere tournament last weekend.
They have usually proved a handful on home soil but losing one of their leading players, a key element of the Pumas side that finished third at the 2007 World Cup in France, diminishes their chances of an upset.
Coach Santiago Phelan has replaced Hernandez, who pulled a right leg muscle during practice on Tuesday, with reserve fly half Nicolas Sanchez for the match at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza.
Sanchez, whose three previous caps came against minor opposition, has inside knowledge, having been a part of the Pampas XV who won South Africa's third-tier Vodacom Cup last year.
The decision means two changes to the side beaten in Cape Town with Martin Rodriguez replacing Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino at fullback.