Beck was first selected for the Springboks to tour New Zealand in 1981. He made his test debut for the Springboks as a replacement for Willie du Plessis at half time in the second test on 29 August 1981 at Athletic Park in Wellington. In the third test he once again replaced Du Plessis in the second half. His first start in a test for the Springboks was against the USA at the Owl Creek Polo ground in Glenville, New York. Beck scored one test try and also played in 9 tour matches for the Springboks, scoring 31 points (4 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalty goals and 1 drop goal).