Bok assistant coach Stick knows the current All Black shoes: 'We've been on the other side'

In Mbombela

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said they fully understand where the struggling All Blacks are at and that makes them dangerous customers for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash at the Mbombela Stadium.

The All Blacks have been going through the upheaval that's generally reserved for the Springboks, who have been in calmer waters than normal.

Stick said the All Blacks will have an edgy desperation that they can positively channel to a performance that could have the capability of surprising the Boks on Saturday.

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"Having been on the other side, I know the All Blacks will badly want to beat us," Stick said.

"We've been where they were and when we beat them in 2018 in Wellington, we were in the same boat. They're going through tough times and there's no better time to play the world champions and prove your point.

"I think that's their main focus and I know that we've been where the All Blacks are as the Boks.

"They'll be desperate, but we'll do everything in our power to make sure we end up on the good side of the scoreboard."

Not even the All Black coaching changes have forced Stick to veer from his line of thinking from a respectful perspective against the All Blacks.

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23