Pumas tough task for Aust

While South Africa are setting their sights on world champions New Zealand, coach Heyneke Meyer predicts Australia are in for just as tough a contest against Argentina in the final round of the Rugby Championship.

The decimated Wallabies must regroup after their 31-8 battering by the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld and spend the day flying before a three-hour bus trip into more enemy territory in Rosario in central Argentina.

Australia only managed to scramble to a 23-19 win over the Pumas on the Gold Coast two weeks ago and Meyer predicted they would struggle to knock over Argentina at home.

South Africa were held to a 16-16 draw when they played the Pumas in Mendoza in the second round.

"I remember when we scored the three tries against Argentina, I thought we also played some great rugby and everybody criticised us and says they're not a quality side," Meyer said.

"They're a very difficult side to play against and it's really going to be tough, especially travelling after a game like this.

"You're on the aeroplane, you travel all over the world and it's a really hostile crowd so it's difficult playing there."

The Springboks had opportunities to knock over the unbeaten All Blacks in their last meeting in Dunedin but failed to convert.

After their five-try romp over Australia, Meyer felt they were ready for the challenge of New Zealand in Johannesburg.

"It's going to be a different challenge playing against the world champs," Meyer said.

"I've got a lot of confidence in this team and it will grow from here."

Winger Bryan Habana scooped a hat-trick against the Wallabies to double his try-scoring tally for the competition.

His skipper Jean de Villiers said the 29-year-old was a special player.

"A couple of years ago he was under tremendous pressure, probably 12 months ago he was, but he showed he's a classy player.

"Scoring three tries against Australia, that's quite a feat."