Cobus Reinach backs Boks to bounce back after All Blacks reality check

The lessons are key for the group was to grow as a unit as they look forward to Saturday's second match-up at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Reinach also praised flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and prop Ox Nche for reaching the significant career milestones of playing their 100 and 50th Tests this weekend, and said it spoke volumes about the type of team members and players they are.

Looking back at their 33-16 defeat at 10bet Ellis Park, Reinach said losing is never good, but that the All Blacks deserve credit for their victory.

"They put us under pressure and made us do things that led to my yellow card, but it's now up to us to work on that and see how we can defend certain things better or make a better plans," he said.

"The review after a loss is never good, but it's learnings, and as long as we take the lessons and grow as a team, we will be in a good place."

With the All Blacks placing a big emphasis on the breakdowns, Reinach said it was not necessarily a case of the opposition targeting the Bok scrumhalves, but rather that what transpired last week taught them what they have to do better this week.

"I don't think they targeted us as individuals as No 9s, they went after our breakdowns quite hard and tried to slow down the ball with throwing their legs and other things" said Reinach.

"We felt the pressure and we knew we had to get the ball out somehow, and we have to work out ways around it. When we train, we try to emulate that, and try to figure out ways in which we can improve."

Reinach lauded Du Toit and Ox for their achievements this weekend: "Pieter-Steph playing his 100th is a huge milestone, and it shows what a type of player and person he is. He's probably not the most vocal guy, but he leads in the way he plays. I'll rather play with him than against him to be honest.

"Hats off to him as a player. He's been through knee and shoulder injuries and many other setbacks, and he is still here, showing up week in and week out, and keeps on performing as he does, so we are very proud of him, and Ox, who will be playing his 50th Test this weekend. They are both amazing teammates."

Of the experience of lining up against the haka, Reinach - who has faced it a few times in his 54 Test career so far - said: "It's awesome to stand there and to listen and see the haka. They look you in the eye and it's a challenge that they set, and we accept it.

"For us, it's all about how we react to it. It's their way to get themselves ready for the kick-off, and we respect it. It's good to experience."

The Springboks will wrap up their main training block in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning and will travel to Cape Town in the afternoon. They will have their final training session of the week at Friday's captains' run.

The match kicks off at 17:10 on Saturday.

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