Kurt-Lee Arendse says the Springboks have spent the week tightening their defence ahead of Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, with kick-off at 17h10.
Despite winning the second Test 33-26, the Boks conceded four tries to three, and Arendse acknowledged there was work to do. "We fixed up a few things this week that we lacked last weekend, but it's something we work on every week to get ourselves better and prevent teams from scoring," he said.
He also pointed to a shift in mindset from the first Test. "In the first Test we focused too much on them instead of ourselves, but this time our focus is more on ourselves and where we need to improve."
With Damian Willemse unavailable through injury, Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback, forming a back three with Arendse and Ethan Hooker. Arendse is unconcerned by the reshuffle, noting he has partnered Kolbe at fullback before and that communication between them is strong.
Saturday will be Arendse's first Test at FNB Stadium in 33 caps. He drew on his experience at the ground during the 2023 Soweto Derby as a measure of the atmosphere the venue can generate, and said the squad is determined to finish the home Test series on a high.