‘Overweight’ Springboks face massive test against Pumas

A Rugby Championship campaign that has gone pear-shaped for South Africa means great significance is being attached to the final-round clash with Argentina in Durban on Saturday.

"This will be a massive test for us," admitted Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer as he looked ahead to a showdown that will decide who finishes bottom of the standings.

Australia and title-holders New Zealand have nine points each ahead of the Sydney title decider earlier on Saturday, South Africa a paltry two from losing bonus points, and Argentina none.

The 2015 Springboks have become the team that cannot put a game to bed, conceding late tries in Brisbane and Johannesburg to fail against the Wallabies and All Blacks.

"We will never accept that we lost our last two tests," stresses 47-year-old Meyer, who has won 26 tests, lost 11 and drawn two since taking charge of the green and gold three seasons ago.

"On both occasions we were in positions to win and let them slip."

Peter de Villiers, who was succeeded as South Africa coach by Meyer, blames overweight Springboks for the fade-outs.

"We need to address the fighting-fit weight of the players so that they can last for 80 minutes," he said.

"The players are carrying excess unnatural weight which is why we cannot maintain intensity for full matches.