Hourcade confident in squad depth

Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade is confident he has enough depth for this year's Rugby Championship, despite being without Facundo Isa.

The 23-year-old, who was a star last year, has since signed for Toulon, meaning he cannot play for Argentina as they have a policy of selecting only locally-based players in non-World Cup years.

59-year-old Hourcade believes he's picked the strongest possible squad for the campaign which begins against the Springboks this Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

And he is hopeful that Argentina will add another couple of wins to the three registered since they joined the tournament in 2012.

"Clearly we are improving but so are the powers and quite a lot," he told Reuters.

"We're going to come up against a confident South Africa after they won their three tests against France (in June).

"They have not lost their essence in physical contact but with dynamics you did not see before, (playing) a game more in accordance with Super Rugby as shown by the Lions, Stormers and Sharks."