Meyer grateful to 'genius' Du Preez
Springboks scrum-half Fourie du Preez is a "genius" with similar influence to Richie McCaw, according to his coach Heyneke Meyer.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says he begged Fourie du Preez to return to Springboks duty and compared the veteran to New Zealand's Richie McCaw.
Du Preez, 33, has struggled with injuries late in his career and had not played for his country since June last year before coming on in the second half of the shock Rugby World Cup defeat to Japan on September 19, South Africa's first match of the tournament.
The scrum-half has since started all three of the Springboks' other games in Pool B, captaining the team against Scotland and the United States following the loss of Jean de Villiers to injury.
Du Preez, who will lead the side again in the quarter-finals against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, has drawn considerable praise from his coach throughout the tournament.
"His form has not surprised me," Meyer told a press conference.
"I convinced him to come back but he was not sure because he has had some injuries. I begged him to come back because if you have him in your side it clicks.
"He is like [All Blacks skipper] Richie McCaw. He is one of the most astute players I have ever coached.
"He is a genius and an unbelievable player. If we go through in this tournament he will get ever better and I have so much confidence in him."
Victor Matfield will miss the match against Wales after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, leaving 23-year-old Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, 22, to continue in the second row.
"We have planned for when Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield are injured," Meyer said.
"I am a big believer [that] you need experience but youngsters all over the world have shown they can inspire with heart.
"I look back at … Mike Tyson and Boris Becker, who were stars at 21 and in history you have figures like Alexander the Great.
"I truly believe in these guys and they have played against some of the best players in the world in the Rugby Championship.
"I back the youngsters and what they lack in experience they make up for in heart."