Springbok opponents beware: Resurgent Pieter-Steph du Toit is acing the tackle stats again

Watch out world, his team might still be finding its rhythm but Pieter-Steph du Toit's is in full flow again.

The Springboks' World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019's World Cup-winning year has cut a revitalised figure over the past month, rekindling the energy and sheer relish for work on the field that makes him such a unique threat.

The 30-year-old beanpole blindsider is not a particularly elegant exponent and is prone to the odd handling error, sloppy pass and missed tackle in virtually every game he plays.

However, that's predominantly down to the fact that Du Toit simply doesn't operate at "normal" intensity - everything he does is at 120%.

Who really cares if he misses five tackles yet completes an astonishing, game-high 20 in the Boks' narrow 22-21 victory over Argentina here on Saturday night?

In fact, in just two-and-a-half outings, Du Toit was again South Africa's leading defender with 36 tackles and 22 carries for good measure too.

It's no wonder one might believe he's tired already.

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"Nah, it's really nice to be properly fit," Du Toit said with a chuckle after being asked - tongue-in-cheek of course - whether he's already gatvol of tackling.

"I really feel well conditioned since joining the national team in our pre-season of sorts. There's also much motivation to do so when you have world-class team-mates alongside you. You want to be at your best."

A productive season with former All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen's Toyota Verblitz in Japan, he believes, has given him the best of both worlds.

"Japan was good to me. In fact, I believe my conditioning has been complemented by both settings. I was in good shape