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.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan admits that despite their impressive win in Argentina, they will need to improve if they are to beat the Springboks.
Eben Etzebeth will make his return from a shoulder injury when he captains the Springboks against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Springbok stand-in captain Duane Vermeulen has confronted the reality that his time in green and gold is nearing an end, just like that of most of his 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning teammates.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids said he expected a physical grind against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland in the second Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.
The Springboks started their 2023 campaign in ominous fashion as they recorded an utterly dominant 43-12 victory over a wobbly Wallabies outfit in front of 50 000 fans in Pretoria.