What happened the last time Wales travelled to San Juan

Following a Six Nations campaign in which Wales, in their final outing, secured a victory against Italy, Steve Tandy’s side now have two consecutive Test wins, as well as an uncapped 33-31 victory against the Barbarians. 

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Argentina started their inaugural Nations Championship campaign with a 47-38 home defeat to Scotland in Córdoba, but still have fond memories of facing Wales in Cardiff, when Felipe Contepomi’s side scored more than half a century of points. 

However, wing Josh Adams, who produced the game-changing moment against Fiji, stated that this mini-revival is the start and that they have moved on from last year’s autumn internationals. 

“I’d like to think that they will see a progression in our game,” admitted Adams. 

With that said, Ruck Rugby looks at Wales’ last trip to San Juan, when Warren Gatland was head coach and Cory Hill was captain. 

Prior to landing in Argentina, Wales played in a one-off Test match in Washington, D.C., against South Africa, which was Rassie Erasmus’ first game in charge of the Springboks. Wales headed from stateside following a 22-20 victory ahead of the two-Test series against Los Pumas.

This was Wales’ third consecutive win against the Springboks, and their first outside of Wales. 

Gatland named a 31-man squad for the tour, and days later had Luke Charteris, Tomas Francis, and Josh Adams withdrawn from the squad due to Premiership objections that prevented the three individuals from playing in the United States. 

Cardiff’s Josh Navidi withdrew after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Cardiff’s Challenge Cup final win over Gloucester. But, in came uncapped Dragons duo wing Ashton Hewitt and back-row Aaron Wainwright, along with Ospreys prop Rhodri Jones, who were added to the squad. 

Hewitt, alongside Aaron Shingler and Steff Evans, would then leave the squad following further injuries sustained, whilst Francis, Adams and Josh Turnbull were included in the squad for the two Tests against Argentina. 

Wales went head-to-head with Los Pumas following a Six Nations which ended in second place for Gatland’s side. 

Head coach Gatland made nine changes to his side that put aside South Africa, as Adams was parachuted into the squad following Evans’ injury. 

Rhys Patchell was selected ahead of Gareth Anscombe at outside-half, whilst Gatland brought in Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams, Gareth Davies, James Davies, and Wyn Jones as part of a team reshuffle. 

George North, who ended his rugby-playing career only a matter of weeks ago against Wales for the Baa-Baas, moved that day from outside centre back to the wing. 

That day in western Argentina saw Wales produce an impressive display to put aside Los Pumas 23-10. Open-side James Davies scored his first try in a Welsh jersey, and, unlike Wales in 2026, Gatland was having selection headaches at seven. 

After a brilliant break from scrum-half Gareth Davies, North brilliantly finished off the move. Outside-half Patchell kept Wales ahead by kicking 10 points from the tee, as a late consolation try by Tomas Lezana proved not to be enough. 

Also during the contest at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, Wainwright made his debut from the bench, replacing Seb Davies in the 52nd minute. Now 28 years old, Wainwright reflected on that day and said: “I won my first cap out there in San Juan, so I'm excited to go back and revisit the experience. 

Wainwright, alongside Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, and wing Adams, was also selected in Tandy’s squad this summer and was included for Wales’ last trip to San Juan. 

"From what I can remember last time, it was a very hostile and loud crowd, with all the fencing stopping the fans from getting on the pitch," added Wainwright on what this new-look Wales can expect on Saturday.

"That's something the guys who haven't been before will be able to look forward to."

Wales, after their exploits in San Juan in 2018, then went on to seal the series in Santa Fe, with another impressive victory, 30-12, which lifted Gatland's side to third in the world rankings.

Wales were due to travel back to Argentina in 2021 to tour, but the two games were moved to Cardiff due to Covid. They head back with a great deal of confidence this time around, and could they repeat the 2018 result with another victory in San Juan?