And Pienaar, the Ulster scrum half who knows Russell from their club tussles in the Guinness Pro 12, believes the injury could weaken Scotland.
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The Dark Blues’ understudy playmaker has been handed the responsibility of making Vern Cotter’s team excel in his Glasgow team-mate’s absence.
Scotland lead Pool B with maximum points from victories against Japan and the United States, twice overcoming shaky starts with displays of such attacking verve that even Brits was moved to admit his fondness for watching them play.
Scotland top the group heading into the match with the Springboks after bonus-point wins over Japan and US, but Cotter knows they face a big challenge to maintain that form.
Weir, though, is not anxious about being thrust into the limelight despite only having played 20 minutes of the tournament so far. “We’ll just park that to one side and look at the games where we’ve done well against them”.
“I think about what I can bring as an individual. The tartan is a strong part of that, so I think it’s brilliant that it’s on the kit”. That is a huge driving factor for me and I am thankful to be a part of it. I don’t need to prove myself.
“I wouldn’t say I feel pressure with what’s at stake on Saturday – more excitement”. We just lost a bit of concentration at key times, and struggled to regain our confidence after little errors cost us in the first games. We actually want to put similar performances to what the Scots did to their opponents in the pool.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has made three changes from the starting line-up against Samoa.
“It’s said a lot, to the extent that it’s devalued, but you become really close to the guys you play with”, said Strauss.
“I have known Jean for a few years now”. “Obviously your family plays a big role in your support system and my family have been great, all through school and everything. How far can Scotland go?”
Laidlaw returns at scrum-half, while wing Tommy Seymour starts in place of Sean Maitland. Jonny Gray returns to start alongside brother Richie in place of Gilchrist.
The blend of six and eight chosen to join Hardie if he is passed fit is also up for debate, with Josh Strauss and Dave Denton both offering fairly similar dynamic ball-carrying but possibly doing enough to keep the hard-tackling Al Strokosch out.
“This is our third game in 10 days”, said the 53-year-old New Zealander.
“These players will be giving 100 per cent of themselves and it is a team that will be competitive”.
If Vern Cotter’s side do not seal the deal against South Africa they have a last chance against Samoa a week later.
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Cowan, who qualifies for Scotland thanks to his Dunoon-born mother, feared his World Cup dream was over after missing Cotter’s first cut.
