The side has lost four players from its travelling squad after the match against the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Sunday (NZ time) while another three players have returned to keep the touring party to the allowed number.
First five-eighth Marty Banks returned to New Zealand before the game after he injured his hamstring in the captain's run.
It has been a forgettable season for Banks (26), who has endured a horror run with injury this year, straining his hamstring and then damaging his ribs.
His Highlanders career may be over as he is off to play in Italy at the end of the season.
Co-captain Shane Christie has also travelled home although what is exactly wrong with the openside flanker is unclear.
He was carted off at halftime, feeling unwell, and did not return for the second half. The 30-year-old was taken to hospital and it has been decided by team management to send him home.
Also coming home is All Black loose forward Liam Squire (25), who is undertaking concussion protocol.
Squire has a history with concussion, having missed large chunks of the 2015 season with the Chiefs. He left the field late in the game against the Kings having entered the match off the bench in the second half.
Prop Daniel Lienert-Brown (23) is also coming home having bruised his leg in the first half of the game against the Kings.
Also returning from South Africa and not travelling to Argentina are wingers Ryan Tongia and Jack Wilson and halfback Jamie Booth. The tour party is limited to 27 so, with others joining, the two wingers and halfback have come back to New Zealand.
The Highlanders got up at 6am on Sunday (South Africa time) in Port Elizabeth to fly back to Johannesburg. The squad then travelled to Brazil before transferring to Argentina. The team was scheduled to land in Buenos Aires early today (NZ time).
All Blacks Elliot Dixon, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Aaron Smith and Ben Smith have flown to Argentina from Dunedin to join the squad.
Also flying with them is flanker James Lentjes and prop Craig Millar, to cover for the injured players.
Remaining behind is lock Alex Ainley, who is getting over a calf injury, while hooker Liam Coltman played a game of club rugby on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a toe injury.
Halfback Fumiaki Tanaka dislocated his shoulder in the first of the June internationals and there are doubts about whether he will be back for the Highlanders this season.
The team will have a couple of days to acclimatise in Buenos Aires, where many of them have not been before.
The Jaguares will not be an easy-beat and had a good win over an injury-weakened Bulls outfit in pouring rain over the weekend.
The Highlanders will be hoping for fine weather for the game which takes place on Sunday morning (NZ time).
The side will get back to Dunedin next Tuesday morning.
