Eben Etzebeth will return from his lengthy injury absence in South Africa's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina.

The Stormers star has not played since suffering a shoulder injury in his country's clash with Wales last November, having also sustained a back problem since then. 

But Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed on Monday that Etzebeth will start Saturday's clash at Kings Park, although he is not expected to play the full match. 

"His match fitness is a concern and it is for that reason that we won't see him playing much more than 60 minutes this week," said Erasmus.

"We just received the clearance from the specialist. He has been training full on with us ever since the end of the Stormers Super Rugby campaign, but we have been waiting on this [medical clearance].

"I would prefer to start a player who is in this situation than play him from the bench. If we start someone else and then there is an injury in the first minute, we might be in trouble."

Etzebeth, who first appeared for his country in 2012, has won 67 caps.