A shell-shocked Springboks camp expect the All Blacks to evolve their Rugby World Cup game rapidly now that the key Pool B match is out of the way.
South Africa are still digesting the costs of New Zealand’s impressive 23-13 win in Yokohama on Saturday night.
“It almost seems like the World Cup is over,” Springboks assistant coach Matthew Proudfoot told media as his squad started to look at their next match against Namibia this weekend.
“It was a tough game. At one stage it was 17-13, two teams slogging it out against each other. The guys are more than physically hurt – it’s like we had our opportunity in that game.
Proudfoot expected the All Blacks’ game to expand now with Canada, Namibia and Italy left to play ahead of the quarter-finals.
The All Blacks look certain to top Pool B and will likely meet Scotland in the knockout stage.