Rassie hails 'incredible' Steyn ahead of crucial Pumas showdown

Emergency South Africa flyhalf Frans Steyn has been called "incredible" by former head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of a crucial Rugby Championship clash with Argentina on Saturday.

With Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies and Damian Willemse unavailable, the 35-year-old utility back will make his first Springbok start as a playmaker since 2008 in the final round match.

First-choice Pollard is injured, Jantjies was dropped from the squad after reports of an alleged affair with the team dietician and Willemse is recovering from concussion.

That left Steyn as the only option for the clash with the Pumas at Kings Park in Durban and reserve scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will also provide flyhalf cover.

SA Rugby director of rugby Erasmus, the coaching mastermind behind South Africa winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, lavished praise on Steyn, who has won 77 caps.

"It is incredible how Francois, at the age of 35, is still performing so well at international level. South Africans can be very proud of him," he said.

Erasmus used six forwards and two backs on the bench rather than the traditional five-three split at the World Cup, enabling South Africa to unleash six fresh forwards in the second half.

Apart from a specialist scrumhalf, Steyn was the only other back chosen for all the key matches in Japan, covering the fullback, centre and flyhalf positions.

He replaced Willemse late in a 36-20 bonus-point victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires last Saturday and head coach Jacques Nienaber hailed his "calmness".

My opinion : Just incredible how these two top guys and players still doing the job at the highest level(considering the type of players they are ( physicality and smart tactics every game) Lekka !!Proud ????????