Durban - Butch James said on Wednesday that the entire South Africa squad has a strong desire "to make things right" when they run out against Australia in Durban on Saturday.
Click to BUY the Springbok kitchen recipe book
The Springboks had serious concerns just two games before they begin the defence of their World Cup crown with injuries and a shortage of recent playing time for some of their key-players just some of the issues that had besieged Peter de Villiers' squad.
The national coach opted to leave almost his entire first team at home for the Australasian leg of the competition - a decision that resulted in 39-20 and 40-7 losses to the Wallabies and All Blacks respectively.
"I don't think it's just the senior guys (that need to stand up), the whole squad have been talking about it, the youngsters everyone," said James.
"Even though a lot of us weren't there, we were still playing as the Springboks and obviously we're not proud or happy with how the away leg went.
"We want to make it right from the youngest guy to the coach.
A number of players expected to start at Kings Park will be playing for the first time in five to seven weeks.
This includes senior players like Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, JP Pietersen, Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis.
Then there are injury returnees like Fourie du Preez and Heinrich Brüssow who will return to Test rugby after prolonged injury lay-offs.
James is, however, not concerned.
"It's (usually) not too difficult (for me to switch on after not playing for a while), but I think the weekend will take five or so minutes," said James.
"We're hoping for a good start and hopefully that five minutes is in the warm-up so we can come out firing from the kick-off."
"But hopefully it won't be an issue for the guys."
James will win his 41st cap if selected to play on Saturday with his last start being against Italy in eMalahleni - previously Witbank - last June.
The 32-year-old said that representing his country is still the ultimate.
"I think it gets more special the older you get and the more you start realising that you are not going to be here four years down the line.
"You almost take it like it's your last time here.
"Every time you get together with the team it gets more and more special. I think you take it for granted when you're a youngster and in the team for the first time."
South Africa conclude their Tri-Nations campaign against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth next week.
Click to BUY the Springbok kitchen recipe book
The Springboks had serious concerns just two games before they begin the defence of their World Cup crown with injuries and a shortage of recent playing time for some of their key-players just some of the issues that had besieged Peter de Villiers' squad.
The national coach opted to leave almost his entire first team at home for the Australasian leg of the competition - a decision that resulted in 39-20 and 40-7 losses to the Wallabies and All Blacks respectively.
"I don't think it's just the senior guys (that need to stand up), the whole squad have been talking about it, the youngsters everyone," said James.
"Even though a lot of us weren't there, we were still playing as the Springboks and obviously we're not proud or happy with how the away leg went.
"We want to make it right from the youngest guy to the coach.
A number of players expected to start at Kings Park will be playing for the first time in five to seven weeks.
This includes senior players like Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, JP Pietersen, Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis.
Then there are injury returnees like Fourie du Preez and Heinrich Brüssow who will return to Test rugby after prolonged injury lay-offs.
James is, however, not concerned.
"It's (usually) not too difficult (for me to switch on after not playing for a while), but I think the weekend will take five or so minutes," said James.
"We're hoping for a good start and hopefully that five minutes is in the warm-up so we can come out firing from the kick-off."
"But hopefully it won't be an issue for the guys."
James will win his 41st cap if selected to play on Saturday with his last start being against Italy in eMalahleni - previously Witbank - last June.
The 32-year-old said that representing his country is still the ultimate.
"I think it gets more special the older you get and the more you start realising that you are not going to be here four years down the line.
"You almost take it like it's your last time here.
"Every time you get together with the team it gets more and more special. I think you take it for granted when you're a youngster and in the team for the first time."
South Africa conclude their Tri-Nations campaign against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth next week.