Former Scotland head coach Matt Williams believes the Springboks have "really hit a wall" with their game plan ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks comfortably held on to fourth place in the latest World Rugby rankings, despite their defeat against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am admits there is a different energy in the camp ahead of the 2023 World Cup compared to four years ago.
Grant Williams said on Sunday the Springboks would take a few positives from their 35-20 defeat against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber immediately shrugged off their Rugby Championship defeat to New Zealand as he defended their strategy with their chances of claiming the title having all but slipped away.
An impressive second-half fightback was not enough as the Springboks paid the price for a poor first 40 minutes in a 35-20 defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland.