The All Blacks are preparing to face the world champion Springboks, with coach Ian Foster under intense pressure to end their dire run of form after four defeats in their past five matches.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks are concentrated solely on improving their game before preparing for back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks in South Africa.
The Springboks received a timely boost with the inclusion of Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn in a 41-man squad chosen for the Rugby Championship, but the injured Cheslin Kolbe is doubtful to recover in time to feature in the tournament.
The Rugby Championship organisers have wound the clock back and adopted a mini-tour format for at least the next three years saying it will restore “rugby’s traditional touring values”.
The Springboks have concluded their second alignment camp in Cape Town, with coach Jacques Nienaber set to name his squad for the Wales series before the end of May.
The Springboks will play a Test in Adelaide for the first time when they line up against the Wallabies in the first of their two Rugby Championship matches in Australia.
Jean de Villiers and Jim Hamilton both concede it is inevitable that the Springboks will join the Six Nations, but raise concerns over the impact the move could have on the Test calendar and future British & Irish Lions tours.
Damian de Allende says he hopes the Springboks don’t move away from the unique challenge of playing in the Rugby Championship anytime soon amid links of a switch to the Six Nations.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has given his opinion on speculation that the Springboks could leave the Rugby Championship to join the Six Nations in the near future.
Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons says he hopes the Springboks turn down the Six Nations and stay in the Rugby Championship beyond 2025.