It was less than two months ago that South Africa inflicted a record 35-7 defeat on New Zealand - but the result of that test in London will have no bearing on Sunday's Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, flanker Kwagga Smith says.
The Springbok's emphatic win at Twickenham was not only the heaviest defeat the All Blacks had suffered but came on the back of a powerful forward display, with South Africa sparking controversy by naming seven forwards out of possible eight replacements and then overwhelming the Kiwis.
But Smith was quick to remind of the numerical advantage the Boks enjoyed for much of the match after Kiwi lock Scott Barrett was sent off in the first half.
"They got a red card at Twickenham and went down to 14 men. This weekend is the one that counts. So, we're really looking forward to it and we know it's going to be an epic battle.
"Upfront with the forwards it’s going to be physical but we're excited for that. It's a great challenge," he told a news conference on Wednesday.
It is for a second successive time that the South Africans find themselves in the build-up week before a World Cup final, having won in Japan four years ago.
"I think the coaching staff tried to keep everything the same but obviously there's a bit more pressure this week, but we tried to focus on process and train the same as we have been training before," Smith added.
Bomb squad and Bongi
The 30-year-old Smith is again expected to be named among the replacements, even if South Africa are unlikely to again pick a seven-one split among the forwards and backs on the replacements' bench when they announce their team on Thursday.
"If you look at our bench, even back in 2019, it has had a massive impact for the Springboks," he said.
The fabled 'bomb squad' have a proven ability to come and change the outcome of games, as was the case last weekend as the Boks came from behind to edge England in their semi-final.
"For us, when we are on the bench, we know we've got a massive responsibility to fulfil. The nice thing is for us is that we can watch the first half and see where we could be falling short as Springboks," Smith added.
"We then know what our job is when we go onto the field and we can rectify that. You've got to be ready and make sure that you use your opportunity when you get it."
Meanwhile, the team have no problem focusing on the final despite the controversy hanging over hooker Bongi Mbonambi and World Rugby's investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour, assistant coach Felix Jones said.
World Rugby are formally reviewing the allegation that Mbonambi directed a racial slur at England's Tom Curry last weekend's semifinal, where South Africa secured a 16-15 win to make the final.
But Jones said, despite no resolution of the investigation, the Springboks were knuckling down to work as they look to defend their title.
"Everyone, as you can expect for a World Cup final, is hugely excited and there is a high level of focus. Everyone wants to get their detail down early in the week and then concentrate on delivering the performance."
At the same time, South Africa Rugby officials said the investigation into Mbonambi's alleged behaviour was on-going and they were unable to provide any answers on the next step of the process.
World Rugby said separately an investigation into the allegations was being conducted by its disciplinary structures but no time line on the process was known.
Audio and video footage posted on social media show Curry complaining to New Zealand referee Ben O'Keeffe, although no action was taken during the match and the alleged slur is not heard.
Curry confirmed an incident when questioned by reporters afterwards but refused to say what had been said, and since then both England and South Africa's camp have clamped down on questions on the issue.
If found guilty, Mbonambi could be suspended for the clash at Stade de France on Sunday morning (NZ time) which would be a huge blow to South Africa as he is the only specialist hooker in the squad.
They chose not to replace the injured Malcolm Marx with another hooker but instead brought in first five-eighth Handre Pollard, who kicked the winning penalty against England.
Regular loose-forwards Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden have covered the hooker position in the tournament but Mbonambi has featured in all but one of South Africa's six matches in France and played almost all of the quarter-final win over France and the semi-final success over England.
Asked about possible fatigue for the 32-year-old Mbonambi ahead of the final, Jones said: "He's come through both of those games fine, and I think any player who is getting ready to play in a World Cup final is raring to go."
