Meyer may have to ring changes at inside centre

When JP Pietersen was asked to do duty there in the June internationals, there may only have been the slightest temptation to sound the alarm bells at the dearth of outside centres in the Springbok squad.

However, with Pietersen now playing in Japan, Jaque Fourie still injured, JJ Engelbrecht out of form and Juan de Jongh out of Heyneke Meyer's sight and mind, there is just cause to send Quasimodo up the bell tower.

Captain Jean de Villiers, who has served at outside centre with distinction, yesterday talked up the stock the Springboks could potentially deploy in that position in the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina next week Saturday.

De Villiers prefers inside centre, however, the position in which Meyer believes he makes the biggest contribution to the team.

"I'm very comfortable there," De Villiers said about playing outside centre. "Bryan (Habana) has played there, Damian (de Allende) can play 13. Cornal (Hendricks) played 13 as well, so we do have options. It comes down to the coaches and what they feel is best for the team.

"Wherever I'm needed I'll play. I do prefer playing at 12, but if I'm needed at 13 I'll do my best."

Habana made his mark in that position when he burst onto the scene in a Lions jersey, but the fact that it is now hard to even picture him in a Rooibonte tells you all you need to know.

De Allende's third match for Western Province was in that position when he played in the Vodacom Cup in 2012, but he hasn't played there since.

Hendricks played outside centre for the longest time before he was moved to the wing but, there again, he didn't play his best rugby in that position.

It leaves Meyer with some tough decisions. Playing De Allende at inside centre, with De Villiers outside him seems less fraught with peril as the debutant will at least play in the position that got him the nod in the first place.

The entire process, however, hinges on De Villiers's availability. The Bok captain is in the final throes of ridding himself of a knee injury but he isn't in the clear just yet.

"It is looking good for next week. It's improved a lot this week," he said.

He was adamant he did not need to run off the cobwebs of inactivity in the Currie Cup this weekend.

"Not really," he said when asked if he considered playing for Province in Port Elizabeth. "The knee is ready to go whether it is in the Currie Cup, Super Rugby or a Test. From a fitness point of view I feel good. It is just a matter of getting the confidence."