Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick admits the team is facing up to a “different challenge” against the All Blacks ahead of their two Tests on home soil.

The world champions are on a high at the moment after picking up back-to-back away wins over the Wallabies, while their other rivals have suffered indifferent starts.

Next up for South Africa are those mouth-watering fixtures against the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 31 and in Cape Town the following weekend.

Perfect tour

Stick revealed the Boks are delighted with their current position on the Rugby Championship table after two rounds, admitting their 10-point haul is a welcome bonus.

“If you had asked us at the beginning of the season if we thought it was possible to get 10 points against Australia at home, we would have probably said you are joking because it’s always tough against them down under,” said Stick.

“But we’ll take those results. It was very positive for us as a team, but we are now facing a different challenge.

The All Blacks have been one of the best teams for a while now and it showed in how they bounced back against Argentina after losing their first game.

“On a good day they can be very dangerous, so the keys for us are to prepare well, ensure that we are aligned as a team, and to execute our game plan well because if you are not at your best on the day against the All Blacks they can punish you.”

The Springboks enjoyed a two-day break after their return from Australia but the focus is now very much on the opening All Blacks Test at Emirates Airline Park.

“As a team we are in a good space at the moment,” said Stick. “We had two or three days off with our families and we are now back in camp. This means we have two extra days to work with the players which will allow us to implement a few things.

“It’s similar to what we did before the Australian leg, and it helped a lot. One can see the guys are fresh and the energy in the group is great.”

Those Tests against Australia were positive for several reasons for the Boks, not least because they blooded several youngsters who grabbed their rare opportunity.

“The one thing I enjoyed (from the tour) was the young guys that came through and their excitement when they received opportunities to play,” said Stick.

“If you look at a young guy like Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) and Aphelele Fassi and they way they are maturing in those positions, it’s great for the team.

“Of course they’ll make mistakes now and then, but as long as one learns from those mistakes it makes you a better player.

“A couple of the players grabbed their opportunities with both hands and that’s great for us as coaches to build our squad depth and to create more competition in the different positions.

“It’s going to be a different challenge playing against the All Blacks, but these are the moments we live for, and we’ll make sure we prepare well.”