When you hear "Argentina rugby," you’re not just thinking of a team-you’re thinking of a force. They don’t just play the game; they own it in their own way. But what are they actually called? The answer isn’t just "Argentina." It’s something far more powerful: Pumas.
The Real Name: Los Pumas
The Argentina national rugby team is officially known as Los Pumas the nickname of the Argentina national rugby union team, representing the country in international competition since 1910. It’s not a marketing slogan or a random choice. It’s a symbol. The puma, a native big cat of South America, embodies the traits they play with: agility, power, stealth, and relentless determination. You won’t find a single player on the team who doesn’t carry that identity.The name stuck after a tour in 1965, when the team traveled to South Africa. Local journalists, impressed by their ferocity on the field, started calling them "Pumas"-a name that quickly caught on back home. By the 1970s, it was official. The team embraced it fully, even adopting a stylized puma logo that now appears on their jerseys, training gear, and official merchandise.
Why Not Just "Argentina"?
You might wonder why they don’t just go by "Argentina" like other national teams. Well, they do-officially, the team is called the Selección Argentina de Rugby. But in the rugby world, nicknames matter. Think of New Zealand’s All Blacks, Australia’s Wallabies, or England’s Lions. These aren’t just labels; they’re brands built on culture, history, and identity."Argentina" is the country. "Los Pumas" is the spirit. It’s the roar you hear when they charge out of the tunnel before a test match. It’s the way fans chant it in the stands at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. It’s the name printed on their jerseys, not "Argentina," but the stylized puma with the number 10 underneath.
The History Behind the Name
Argentina played its first official international rugby match in 1910 against a British Isles touring team. They lost badly-but they didn’t disappear. They kept showing up. By the 1980s, they were beating top-tier teams. In 1999, they reached the Rugby World Cup semifinals. And in 2007, they stunned the world by finishing third, beating the likes of France and Wales along the way.Through all of it, they were called Los Pumas. Even when they were underdogs, even when no one expected them to compete with New Zealand or South Africa, they carried the name like a badge of honor. The puma doesn’t need a pride to survive-it thrives alone, in tough terrain. That’s Argentina rugby.
What Makes the Pumas Different?
Other teams train in high-tech facilities with data analysts and sports psychologists. Argentina trains on dusty fields in Mendoza, on concrete pitches in Rosario, in small towns where rugby is more than a sport-it’s a lifeline. Many players work day jobs: teachers, electricians, mechanics. They show up for training after a full shift, then fly across the world to face the best teams on the planet.They don’t have the budget of the All Blacks. They don’t have the media machine of England. But they have grit. They have passion. And they have a name that means something deeper than just a team-it means resilience.
Their playing style reflects that. They’re not the most structured team in the world, but they’re the most unpredictable. They’ll run blind passes from their own 22. They’ll tackle like they’re defending their front yard. They’ll score tries from nowhere. And when they do, the whole country stops.
International Recognition and Competitions
Los Pumas compete in the Rugby Championship, the annual tournament that includes New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. They joined in 2012, replacing Argentina’s longtime rival, the now-defunct team from the Pacific Islands. It was a big deal. No other non-traditional rugby nation had ever been invited into that elite group.They’ve also played in every Rugby World Cup since 1987. Their most famous win? A 2007 upset over France in the quarterfinals, where they won 18-15 in front of a stunned crowd in France. That match didn’t just change their reputation-it changed how the world saw them.
They’re not just participants anymore. They’re contenders. And every time they step onto the field, they do it as Los Pumas-not just as Argentina.
How Fans and Media Use the Name
If you watch a match on ESPN, Sky Sports, or DAZN, you’ll see the name "Argentina" used for broadcasting clarity. But if you’re in Argentina, on Twitter, in a pub in Córdoba, or even in a taxi in Buenos Aires, people say "Los Pumas." That’s the name that matters. It’s the one on the scarves, the flags, the tattoos.Even international commentators now say it. "Pumas on the attack!" "Pumas hold their lineout!" "Pumas with a last-minute penalty!" It’s become part of the global rugby lexicon. You won’t find a single rugby fan who doesn’t recognize "Los Pumas" as one of the most respected names in the sport.
What About Women’s Rugby?
The women’s team doesn’t go by "Pumas"-they’re called Las Pumas the nickname of the Argentina women's national rugby union team, formed in 1991 and competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup since 2014. The "Las" changes the gender, but the spirit stays the same. They’re fast, fearless, and growing fast. In 2025, they qualified for their first-ever Rugby World Cup final tournament, beating Ireland and Japan in the qualifiers.The men’s and women’s teams share the same federation, the same logo, and the same pride. They train at the same center in Buenos Aires. They wear the same jersey design. And they both answer to the same name: Pumas.
What You’ll See on the Jersey
Look closely at the Argentina jersey. There’s no "ARGENTINA" across the chest. Instead, there’s a black puma, crouched, ready to spring. Below it, the number 10-symbolizing the fly-half, the playmaker, the heartbeat of the team. On the sleeve, you’ll find the flag of Argentina. But the name? It’s not written. It’s implied.That’s the power of Los Pumas. You don’t need to say it. You just need to know it.
Final Answer: They’re Called Los Pumas
So, what are Argentina rugby called? The official name is the Argentina national rugby union team. But the only name that matters-on the field, in the stands, in history-is Los Pumas.It’s not just a nickname. It’s a legacy. It’s a promise. And every time they run out onto the field, they’re not just playing for a country. They’re playing for a symbol that’s been carved into the soul of Argentine sport.
Why is the Argentina rugby team called the Pumas?
The team earned the nickname "Pumas" during a 1965 tour of South Africa, where local journalists compared their aggressive, agile play to the native South American big cat. The name stuck because it perfectly captured their fighting spirit, and by the 1970s, it became official. The puma symbolizes strength, independence, and resilience-qualities that define the team.
Do they ever use "Argentina" instead of "Pumas"?
Officially, yes-the team’s full name is the Argentina national rugby union team. But in practice, no. Broadcasters may use "Argentina" for clarity, but fans, media, and players always say "Los Pumas." The jersey doesn’t even say "Argentina"-it features the puma logo. The name is part of their identity.
Is there a women’s team called the Pumas too?
Yes-the women’s team is called Las Pumas. They share the same federation, logo, and heritage as the men’s team. Formed in 1991, they’ve grown rapidly and qualified for their first Rugby World Cup final tournament in 2025. Their jersey has the same puma emblem, just with "Las" to reflect the feminine form.
What competitions do the Pumas play in?
The Pumas compete in the Rugby Championship, which includes New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. They’ve played in every Rugby World Cup since 1987 and reached the semifinals in 1999 and finished third in 2007. Their inclusion in the Rugby Championship since 2012 marked them as one of the world’s top four teams.
Do the Pumas have a famous rival?
Their biggest rival is South Africa. Matches between the Pumas and the Springboks are intense, physical, and deeply emotional. The rivalry goes beyond sport-it’s about history, pride, and identity. The 2007 World Cup match in Marseille, where Argentina beat South Africa 15-12, is still considered one of the greatest upsets in rugby history.
