Pieter-Steph and Willem key for Boks

The Bok boss had no problem admitting his side missed a big, physical ball carrier in last Saturday’s 37-25 loss in Durban. The Argentinian’s were simply more fired up than the Boks and it ended up being the deciding factor of the result.

As a result, Meyer named a very different side for this weekend’s clash in Buenos Aires. Two players in particular will have their work cut out for them, but Meyer believes Willem Alberts and Pieter-Steph du Toit will provide the much needed grunt to out-muscle the Pumas at home.

Alberts slots in at blindside flank in the starting XV making a long awaited return from an injury he suffered during the Super Rugby season. He hasn’t had much game time, but Meyer will be hoping the ‘Bone Collector’ will prove why he is one of the most feared runners in the game.

Cell C Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is on the bench – but will cover blindside flank instead of lock. Meyer believes the young Du Toit will step into the role well having played their during his age-group career.

“What’s been frustrating is that four of our top ball carriers are injured and we don’t have ball carriers. Pieter-Steph has played there at SA U20 and that’s what we’ve been lacking,” Meyer said.

“Usually we go with two opensides, it works against New Zealand and Australia because they are much quicker games. But we got caught against Ireland last year with the same thing – people don’t realise that Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship are totally different games. But when you play Northern Hemisphere teams, with a ref that allows it to be an arm-wrestle, you need big ball carriers and we haven’t had that.”

“Willem is in the team, but what makes it difficult is that he needs game time but he is only going to last 30 or 40 minutes but it’s the last game he can play. He is definitely going to come off, and we need another ball carrier there and I’ve always rated Pieter-Steph.”

“We have to have some big ball carriers and with Duane (Vermeulen) and Flo (Francois Louw) not there, I have to look for someone else who can do the job.”

The Boks take on Argentina at 21h40 on Saturday night - South African time.

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