Argentina Rugby: What Are They Called and Why?

If you've watched an international rugby match, you've probably heard the Argentina team called 'Los Pumas.' Sounds cool, right? But the wild part—it's not even the animal they meant! The whole nickname started out as a mistake and turned into one of the sport’s most memorable traditions.

There's more to it than just a catchy name. Argentina's rugby squad has a background that might surprise you, especially if you follow Six Nations or the Rugby Championship. Before their famous nickname took off, they were just seen as tough underdogs with a brutal defense. Now, people all over the world catch their fixtures just to see what these so-called 'Pumas' will do next.

• The Nickname Everyone Uses
• The Real Story Behind 'Los Pumas'
• How the Name Stuck (Even If It's Wrong)
• What Makes Argentina Rugby Unique
• Tips for Following Argentina's Fixtures

The Nickname Everyone Uses

So, here’s the deal—pretty much everyone calls the Argentina rugby team Los Pumas. If you say that to any rugby fan, they’ll know exactly which team you mean. The name is used by broadcasters, journalists, and official tournament websites. You’ll spot it plastered on banners, social media, and even souvenirs at stadiums during big matches.

But what’s wild is that “Los Pumas” isn’t just a nickname fans made up online. The team actually picked it up after a 1965 tour in South Africa. Some South African journalists thought they saw a puma on the Argentina players’ crest (it was a jaguar, by the way) and the name just stuck. Nobody bothered to change it afterwards, and the world rolled with it.

If you look at fixture lists and tournament advertising, you’ll see “Los Pumas” listed wherever the Argentina national team is. The branding is everywhere—rugby fans on forums and social make a point to say they're excited to see Los Pumas take on the All Blacks or the Wallabies. Everyone knows it’s Argentina, no confusion needed.

Check out how common the nickname is in coverage of major events over the last five years:

Long story short: if you’re talking about Argentina rugby, Los Pumas is the go-to name. Doesn’t matter if you’re in Buenos Aires, Sydney, or scrolling online. The nickname has gone worldwide.

The Real Story Behind 'Los Pumas'

This is where it gets funny. The Argentina rugby team picked up the ‘Los Pumas’ nickname way back in 1965, but here’s the twist—it was all thanks to a mistake by a South African sports journalist. When Argentina toured South Africa that year, the journalist spotted the animal on their badge and thought it was a puma. He wrote 'The Pumas' in his article. The kicker? The animal was actually a jaguar, not a puma.

So, the original intent was 'Los Jaguares,' but the media in South Africa—and quickly, everywhere else—ran with 'Los Pumas.' Instead of correcting it, the players embraced the name. Why? It sounded fierce and people remembered it. Plus, Argentina didn’t exactly get a lot of rugby press at the time, so any attention was good attention. That little slip-up turned them into global rugby personalities almost overnight.

Their crest still shows a jaguar, not a puma, and that’s been a running joke among hardcore fans. But honestly, would you rather be known as Los Pumas or Los Jaguares? No contest.

So next time you hear someone mention Argentina rugby as 'the Pumas,' you’ll know the real story. It just goes to show how one article can create a whole rugby legend.

How the Name Stuck (Even If It's Wrong)

This bit is almost too good to be true. Back in 1965, Argentina’s rugby team was on its first major tour outside South America. Journalists from South Africa were prepping a story on them, but none of the locals spoke Spanish, and the Argentine contingent wasn’t fluent in English. The South African reporter wanted a catchy nickname. Looking at the team's jersey, which had a jaguar on it, he guessed—wrongly—that it was a puma. So, he called them 'The Pumas' in a headline, and just like that, the name Argentina rugby would be known by worldwide stuck.

This little slip turned out to be pretty epic for Argentina rugby. The real animal on their crest is a jaguar, or "yaguareté" in Argentine Spanish, which is native to the region. But 'Los Pumas' sounded punchy and everyone ran with it. The players liked the vibe. Fans latched on. Reporters used it every chance they got. Even the official team social media accounts and merchandise call them 'Los Pumas' now. The original plan? Totally ignored—but no one seems to mind.

• 1965: Nickname started after a journalist’s mistake during the South Africa tour
• The logo features a jaguar, not a puma
• International press and fans quickly adopted the name
• By the late 1960s, "Los Pumas" had totally replaced older, less catchy nicknames
• Today, the term is used everywhere from TV broadcasts to official team hashtags

Here’s a quick look at how fast the name became a thing:

If you think about it, most fans don’t even know the nickname started with a goof. It’s all part of the quirky charm that makes Argentina a fan-favorite in every rugby fixture they play.

What Makes Argentina Rugby Unique

Argentina rugby stands out because it mixes hard-hitting defense with flair you don’t see every day. Sure, countries like New Zealand and England are famous for their traditions, but the Pumas (even though the animal on their badge is actually a jaguar) have a style that’s all their own. They play with grit, and you can always count on them to bring full energy until the final whistle.

One thing you’ll notice right away is the scrum. Argentina has a legit reputation for having one of the strongest forward packs in the game. Their tight five is legendary for smashing through bigger, more famous teams—sometimes turning matches around when nobody expects it. A former international coach once said:

"When you play Argentina, you know you're walking into rugby's equivalent of a street fight. They just don't back down."

Their journey to the top isn’t like most teams. For years, many of their best players had to go play club rugby in France, England, or elsewhere in Europe because there wasn’t a strong home league. Despite this, they kept showing up in World Cups and pulling off huge upsets—like knocking France out of the 2007 World Cup opener, or stunning Australia in the Rugby Championship.

The Argentine squad also brings a crazy amount of passion. It’s common to see players belting out the national anthem, tears and all, and hugs after every big play. Home fixtures in Buenos Aires get loud, with fans drumming, singing, and making stadiums rumble. That emotional edge actually fuels their play—some say it’s as important as their tactics.

Here are a few standout details about how Argentina rugby keeps things interesting:

• They were the last Tier 1 nation to join the annual Rugby Championship in 2012, and quickly became more than just an “easy win” for the other teams.
• Several Argentina rugby legends have made the World Rugby Hall of Fame, including Hugo Porta, one of the most skilled fly-halves ever.
• In 2020, Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time (25-15), blowing up decades of history and making headlines worldwide.

If you like hard stats, check this out. Here are some of the Pumas’ most iconic results since 2000:

Why does this matter for rugby fixtures? When you see Argentina on the schedule, expect surprises. They bring something extra—a mix of scrappy underdog and world-class talent. That’s why most fans never skip a Pumas match, no matter who they're up against.

Tips for Following Argentina's Fixtures

If you want to keep up with Argentina rugby and never miss a big game, you’ve got more tools than ever. Their rugby calendar is packed with high-stakes clashes, especially during The Rugby Championship, World Cup years, and those epic tours that always stir up surprises. Here’s how to not get left out of the loop:

• Official Rugby Websites: The best way to get verified fixture info is to check the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) site and World Rugby’s schedule page. They’re usually the first to update with date changes, venues, or squad news.
• Trusted Apps: Apps like RugbyPass or the official World Rugby app send alerts about match times, scores, venues, and streaming links. Super practical for time zone differences.
• Social Media: The @lospumas (yes, 'the Pumas') Twitter/X account breaks news fast and shares behind-the-scenes videos. Instagram reels and stories post killer highlights within minutes of the final whistle.
• Streaming Details: In Argentina, ESPN and Star+ stream almost every game live. In the UK or elsewhere, look up Premier Sports or ITV during the World Cup. If streaming is blocked, a VPN can do the trick—just pick a location where the game is shown free.
• Fixture Timings: Watch out for kickoff times! Argentina usually plays afternoon or early evening local, which can mean morning or late night if you’re in Europe or Australia.

If you want to spot patterns or know which teams the Pumas clash with the most, here’s a snapshot of their main events each year:

Here’s a nugget straight from a long-time rugby pundit:

“Argentina’s fixtures are some of the most unpredictable in world rugby—you never know when they’ll pull off a historic win like against the All Blacks in 2020.” — Paul Tait, South American rugby writer

Last quick tip: If you’re planning to catch them live, start looking at tickets the minute fixtures drop. Their matches against tier-one teams sell out fast, especially when played at iconic venues like Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires. And if you’re watching from home, double-check kickoff times—nobody likes waking up at 3AM for a game that started two hours earlier!