KEY POINTS:
Most of the attention has been on the other Springbok wing. You-know-who - Bryan Habana, the speed king, the poacher, oh and the guy who was gassed on the outside by the USA's Takudzwa Ngwenya.
But it was the other silky smooth operator, JP (Jon-Paul) Pietersen who claimed the accolades last week after a tackle which might have saved the Springboks' march to tomorrow's semifinal against Argentina.
Pietersen has no great reputation for defence and there are flighty moments about his catching and passing skills. But he can run, his 1.91m, 85kg frame glides effortlessly across the turf.
However, needs must - and a week ago, Pietersen twisted massive Fijian forward Ifereimi Rawaqa enough in a tackle to stop him reaching the tryline before reinforcement Bakkies Botha arrived to complete the salvage.
Pietersen's Springbok and Sharks captain John Smit was a relieved man after the try-saver from his 21-year-old wing.
"That's the way he is growing as a player and a person. You wouldn't have seen him make a tackle like that a few years ago."
Coach Jake White arrived at the World Cup with ideas of using the more experienced Ashwin Willemse on the right wing. He had been out of the game for some time with injuries but White thought he would reclaim his position.
Eventually, though, the coach had to accept Pietersen's push for selection and the extra pace he brought to the back three with Percy Montgomery and Habana.
As the tournament has progressed, Pietersen has worked his way into some impressive form, scoring four tries and also offering more around the field. He still has his fragile handling moments, an aspect of his game which must get a huge inquisition from the Pumas kicking tomorrow, but his defence has improved. The tackle at Marseille on Rawaqa was proof.
"I know I did well on defence," Pietersen said. "At least I only missed one tackle, but it is a part of my game that I am getting better at. That tackle was like tackling five guys in one tackle. He was huge and moving.
"I just closed my eyes and tried to hit as hard as possible. I guess I was lucky that he was carrying the ball in the wrong hand. I knew when I tackled him and pushed him over that I'd got the ball."
It was a tense time for the Springboks who were beginning to fade against Fiji and looked in danger of capping a Tri-Nations quarter-final meltdown.
The final quarter response demanded by Smit was delivered - with the next task tomorrow at Stade de France against the Pumas. This will be a new ball game for Pietersen in which he can expect an aerial bombardment or large forwards running at him down the shortside so favoured by the Pumas.
White and his wily assistant Eddie Jones have been tutoring the Springboks thoroughly on what to expect and how to counter the Pumas.
"We have been practising a lot," said Pietersen about defusing up-and-unders. "We have talked through it and our back three definitely have to step our game, we must talk and it doesn't matter what the crowd does but it does matter on how our back three think and does."
Pietersen admitted he was nervous about the biggest match in his life but had to turn that into action. His rugby life had accelerated quickly since his test debut last season and he was enjoying the ride.
His coach was as comfortable as anyone before 80 minutes of anxiety, hope and uncertainty whether they would survive to shoot for a title to match the 1995 World Cup triumph.
White said his side was the most capped in South African history and that would count for something against a very confident, well-drilled Argentine squad.
"Pichot (halfback and captain Agustin) is in charge of their whole team, their tempo and pace, so putting pressure on nine and 10 from our point of view is vital. But if we play properly and do things we do well, it will be a good match."
Argentina based their prowess on a scrummaging, mauling driving game and they were a side which kicked a lot more than other teams.
"If you leave the ball lying around they will dive for it, we have to get rhythm as quick as we can, rhythm on our attack," said White.
