Argentina have dropped eight starters from the recent hammering by Australia for the Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Durban.

Backs dropped by coach Daniel Hourcade include full-back Santiago Cordero, right wing Gonzalo Camacho, outside centre Matias Moroni and fly-half Nicolas Sanchez.

The axed forwards are lock Manuel Carizza and loose trio Javier Ortega Desio, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and No8 Facundo Isa.

A ninth change is injury induced.

Tighthead prop Ramiro Herrera was hurt during the 34-9 loss to the Wallabies in Mendoza nine days ago and knee surgery will sideline him for four to six weeks.

Backline survivors from the Mendoza mauling are inside centre Juan Pablo Socino, left wing Juan Imhoff and scrum-half Martin Landajo.

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Hooker and skipper Agustin Creevy, loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza and lock Tomas Lavanini remain among the eight who started against Australia.

“The objectives for the match  are the same as for those against New Zealand and Australia,” said Hourcade.

“We hope to gradually improve our game, develop greater rhythm, and assess players ahead of the World Cup.”

South Africa have won 18 Tests against Argentina and drawn the other since they first met in 1993, scoring 728 points and conceding 361.