The Springbok squad returned to South Africa in two groups on Monday night and Tuesday following their 17-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires, with flush-out gym sessions scheduled before the full training camp — including players who remained at home — reconvenes on the training field in Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday.
Utility back Canan Moodie, who started at outside centre against Los Pumas, says the result delivered exactly what the squad needed heading into the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand.
"We got out of that game what we wanted to, so now it's full focus on the All Blacks series," said Moodie. "They've already played against the Stormers and the Sharks, so we'll be dialled into what they're doing, and preparing as best we can."
Moodie highlighted the particular value of the Buenos Aires match for players returning from injury, with Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg all requiring game time to sharpen their match fitness.
"A lot of the boys who returned from injuries aren't quite match-fit yet, so getting 80 minutes was very important," he said. "It wasn't easy, but the guys showed a lot of character."
The 23-year-old also pointed to the hostile environment in Buenos Aires as useful mental preparation for the RGR series. "It took a lot of character, but our systems were there backing us against the fatigue, their long kicking game, and a hostile crowd."
The Boks host New Zealand at Ellis Park on 22 August, DHL Stadium on 29 August and FNB Stadium on 5 September, before the series concludes at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September. A one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth follows on 27 September.