Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus Photo: JONO SEARLE / PHOTOSPORT
The Springboks have arrived in Auckland excited but wary of the task they face against the All Blacks.
The Springboks are coming off a 30-22 win over Australia in Cape Town, while the All Blacks have returned home following their first ever loss in Argentina, a 29-23 defeat in Buenos Aires.
South Africa were now hoping to end an 88-year drought at Eden Park.
"We travelled well, and although it's a long trip to New Zealand, we are excited to be here and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead," said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
"It's always tough playing here, but the group is in good spirits, and we are fully aware of the magnitude of the task ahead."
The defending champion Boks would have a gym session and recovery day on Thursday before taking the field for their first training session on Friday.
They will meet the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday September 6 and at Sky Stadium in Wellington a week later on September 13.
They will then return to South Africa to face Argentina in Durban on Saturday, September 27, before wrapping up their campaign against the Pumas in London on October 4.
With a week and a half to prepare for the first match, Erasmus said managing the players effectively in the next few days was essential to get the best out of them on the field.
"We've worked out our training schedule this week in a way that would allow the players to recover from the two physical matches against Australia, while at the same time steadily get into the swing of things for the next two matches.
"So, we will have only two training sessions this week and then go full throttle into normal test match mode from Monday."
The next two games were "crucial" in the Springboks campaign, he said, so he was pleased they had travelled early.
"The time zone and conditions are obviously very different from back home, so it's important that we acclimatise and settle in as quickly as possible to ensure that we are sharp at training and ready to be at our best by the time we face the All Blacks next weekend."
New Zealand had six points, Australia five and South Africa and Argentina four.
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