The Springboks say they can put their recent poor form behind them as they prepare to take on the formidable All Blacks in Townsville on Saturday.
The world champions have lost to the Wallabies in back-to-back matches this month, but the Kiwi side are still expecting the same physical South Africa challenge.
"Yeah, they'll be hurting a lot," assistant coach John Plumtree says.
The proud Springboks admit the results of the last two matches have affected them.
"When you lose two consecutive games, it's just natural you get emotional or look at the reasons why," says Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids.
And the All Blacks are expecting a physical battle - one Plumtree says his forwards are embracing.
"We know there's a lot of heat coming, and we need to be able to deal with that," he adds.
The severity of the contest isn't lost on the assistant coach.
"In particular, this is going to be the toughest forward battle since I've been involved. All the boys know that."
And the Springboks are relishing the matchup.
"They pose a different challenge to the one we faced two weeks ago," says Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
A different challenge, but it's a different result the world champions will be craving.
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v South Africa Rugby Championship clash
