Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk has warned his side to be fully focused when they face New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Two months prior to the start of the World Cup, the All Blacks will host South Africa in a Rugby Championship match on Saturday at Mount Smart Stadium.

Last Saturday, both teams recorded emphatic opening-round victories. New Zealand defeated Argentina 41-12 on the road, while South Africa defeated Australia 43-12 in Pretoria.

Nonetheless, it has been 86 years and nine Tests since South Africa last won in Auckland, where they were defeated 57-0 by New Zealand in 2017.

This remains the largest margin between rugby superpowers in Tests.

De Klerk believes that the Springboks have since regained the rugby community’s respect in New Zealand, especially after a thrilling 36-34 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington in 2018, the year before South Africa won the World Cup.

“Speaking to the fans over here and other players, I think there is a respect,” he told reporters in Auckland.

“Look, a few years ago we weren’t up to the standard in the way we played at all.

“Getting a lot of points put up against you isn’t going to warrant respect.

“But the way the boys played last week shows there is something about us.”

The scrum-half is aware that his team must be at its best against the All Blacks, as a victory for either team would give them the Rugby Championship trophy.

De Klerk stated that losing concentration for even a moment can result in “probably ending up behind the posts” after conceding points.

“If one or two guys just knock off for a moment, that’s when they are going to attack you,” he said.

De Klerk is one of nine South African starters who skipped the victory over Australia to travel to Auckland a week early for preparation.

The pressure is on to build on last week’s victory over the Wallabies by securing a rare victory in Auckland, according to him.

“I think they set the standard and we need to make sure we uphold that or outperform,” he said.

“It’s a squad effort.

“We have been training together for four weeks now, so we all know what to expect from each other.”

It is unknown who will captain the Springboks following the death of Eben Etzebeth’s father in South Africa earlier this week.

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