Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick say making South Africa proud is the primary driver heading into Saturday's Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series decider against the All Blacks in Baltimore, with the Springboks holding a series lead they are determined not to surrender.
The match carries additional weight as Rassie Erasmus' 100th Test in his combined roles with the Boks, while Kolisi will earn his 107th cap.
"We don't want to draw it, and that has been our mindset this week," said Kolisi, who acknowledged the All Blacks have reconfigured their lineup significantly for the decider. "This week we're playing almost a new All Blacks team compared to last week, and Richie Mo'unga brings a different dynamic."
Kolisi drew on the cumulative intensity of the four-match series: "In my experience, it doesn't get tougher than this. It's like playing four Rugby World Cup finals in as many weeks. We may be leading the series, but we know on the other side they are desperate to level it up."
Stick said Mo'unga's return to the starting lineup at flyhalf was no surprise to the Bok coaching staff, and he anticipates a more expansive All Blacks approach. "I think the All Blacks are going to be even more bold tomorrow when it comes to keeping the ball alive and using the wide channels," he said. "But the most important aspect for us is to enforce our game on them physically and go from there."
Both men noted the strong Springbok support base in Maryland, with many South African expats travelling from across the United States for the match.