South Africa suffered a 33-16 defeat in the opening Test last weekend, despite creating enough opportunities to win the match. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Boks have taken a hard look at what went wrong and are ready to make amends.

“There were moments where we were in control, but if you don’t take your opportunities and convert them against the All Blacks, you will be punished. That was one of the biggest lessons,” Stick said.

The Springbok team to face the All Blacks in the 2nd Test. Photo: SA Rugby

The Springboks spent the week analysing their performance. Stick believes their ability to turn chances into points is crucial.

“If we create as many opportunities as we did last week, one of the main things we need to do is convert more of them. The All Blacks didn’t have many opportunities, but they took their chances when they came.”

Stick stressed that Saturday’s clash would be different.

“We’ve studied and learned from everything we saw; now we need to apply it,” he said. 

“You can’t ask for a better venue to turn things around, with the vibe, the stadium and the occasion in Cape Town.”

The Boks will make changes to their backline after Handré Pollard was ruled out with a niggle picked up during training on Wednesday. Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu will start at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok added to the bench.

Siya Kolisi, Ox Nché (50th Test), Rassie Erasmus, and Pieter-Steph du Toit (100th Test). Photo: SA Rugby

Stick praised Pollard for being honest about his condition. “What I admire is that a leader like Handré was honest about how he was feeling and had the courage to say he didn’t feel right during the training session,” he said.

Cheslin Kolbe also returns to the starting XV after recovering from the issue that forced him off last weekend. Kurt-Lee Arendse drops out of the matchday squad.

Stick explained Kolbe trained fully on Monday and progressed well through the week.

Captain Siya Kolisi has been declared fit after recovering from his injury. He admitted the mental side of rehabilitation was the toughest part.

“I feel good and strong – the toughest part was more the mental battle,” Kolisi said.

“You know you’re always going to heal, so it’s more the mental side that is challenging because you don’t know in which game you’re going to be back.”

Kolisi believes the Springboks’ experience in pressure situations, from the British & Irish Lions Series and Rugby World Cup, will help them handle the occasion.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: SA Rugby

“But experience means nothing if you don’t learn from the mistakes you made the week before,” he said.

Saturday will also be a special occasion for Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, who will earn their 100th and 50th Test caps respectively.

Kolisi credited the coaching staff for carefully managing the squad and creating opportunities for players to build long international careers.

Manie Libbok. Photo: SA Rugby

“We’re not only playing for each other, we are playing for the whole of South Africa. What’s best for the country is the mindset we have as a group.”

With the All Blacks holding the early advantage, the Boks know they have little room for error. Cape Town provides the perfect stage for a response on Saturday night.

Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and All Blacks at the Green Point Stadium will kick-off at 17:10.

South Africa - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements - 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok

New Zealand - 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower

Replacements - 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipoluto, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg