Rassie Erasmus has described the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks as comparable in intensity to Rugby World Cup knock-out rugby, with the opening Test at Ellis Park on August 22 now a week away.
"This series is almost like playing the knock-out stages of a Rugby World Cup because we are facing one of the world's best week in and week out," Erasmus said. "It's a new and exciting challenge, and we have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes."
The Springbok squad only reconvened as a full group late in the week following the return of the contingent that travelled to Argentina, where South Africa recorded a 17-10 win over the Pumas. Erasmus flagged the need to manage recovery and time-zone adjustment for those players before integrating them back into camp.
"We are pleased that the players are well recovered and ready to give everything for the forthcoming Tests," he said.
The All Blacks arrive at Ellis Park having gone through the tour's franchise leg unbeaten, accounting for the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town and the Sharks 54-0 in Durban, before facing the Bulls later on Saturday.
Bulls duo Johan Grobbelaar and Elrigh Louw, released to play against the tourists on Saturday, will rejoin the Test squad on Sunday. New inclusion Deon Fourie is also in camp.