Springboks hungry to respond against All Blacks in Cape Town

The 33-16 loss brought an end to the Springboks’ 12-match winning streak and saw New Zealand reclaim top spot in the World Rugby rankings. 

The Boks now have an opportunity to level the four-Test series when the teams meet at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.

Erasmus says the players have not forgotten the disappointment of losing in front of their home supporters in Johannesburg, and are determined to produce a much-improved display in the Mother City.

"We are proud South Africans. You could see when the guys went onto the field that the people are hurting, so we are very desperate to win this game. We see that in the training sessions and the coaches' mindsets. But you can't suddenly overload yourself with work and training just because you're playing the number one team on Saturday. It's about planning, getting aligned, and having intensity in training sessions, but I see a lot of determination," said Erasmus.

READ: Dave Rennie rings the changes for All Blacks' second Test against embattled Boks

Erasmus has taken an unusual approach to the build-up, facing the media on consecutive days as he shoulders responsibility for the tactical decisions that contributed to the Ellis Park defeat.

The coach says accepting the blame is not an attempt to protect his players from criticism, but rather an acknowledgement that many of the instructions given to them were carried out. He believes the coaching staff must also own their part in the result.

Siya Kolisi has been cleared to return from a hamstring injury and will captain the Springboks at No.6 in Saturday’s second Test, with Paul de Villiers dropping out of the matchday squad.

Erasmus says de Villiers delivered a strong performance in Johannesburg, but Kolisi’s experience and leadership make his return particularly important as the Boks look to level the series. Kolisi will combine with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the loose trio.

Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach says the All Blacks were not specifically targeting him and Grant Williams during last weekend’s defeat, but were instead putting sustained pressure on South Africa at the breakdown.

Reinach says that pressure disrupted the Boks’ ability to produce quick ball and forced them into difficult decisions. He adds that the team has used training to replicate New Zealand’s approach and find better ways of dealing with it in Cape Town.

Reinach has also praised Pieter-Steph du Toit ahead of the Springbok forward’s 100th Test appearance against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium.

Du Toit will become only the 11th Springbok to reach a century of Test caps, while Ox Nche is also set to reach 50 appearances for South Africa. Reinach says Du Toit’s consistency, resilience and leadership through difficult periods of his career make the milestone even more significant.