The Springboks were back on the training field after having the weekend off following a booster conditioning week, and all the players except for wing Cheslin Kolbe, who took a knock to the leg last Friday, participated in the session.

With the focus in the camp solely on Sunday’s clash at the CBUS Super Stadium, Davids anticipated a tough battle against the hosts, who will be determined to bounce back from their Bledisloe Cup whitewash against the All Blacks, and said they would not underestimate them.

“Historically we have not had a good win record in Australia, but as a team we want to pick up where we left off,” said Davids.

“Australia are a good side, and they are very competitive. We won’t look too much into their past results because they played most of those matches against New Zealand, and with the team building, they can only grow.

“In their last game they created a lot of opportunities and I think they will feel as though they let themselves down in their execution and decision-making.

“So, we’ll make a big mistake if we look at their past results, and we know there is still a lot we can also improve on."

Davids expected the Wallabies to test the Boks' resolve with their phase-play, and said they need to be strong all around to counter the home side's strengths, especially when it comes to their lineout play.

“In my past experiences of coaching against Dave Rennie (Australia head coach), it was clear he has an attacking philosophy,” said Davids.

“They play with ball in hand and create pressure that way.

“From a lineout perspective, Australia are a very competitive side, but it is also an area we would like to improve on.

“So, I think it will be a well contested area of the game. For us it is important that we execute our plans well well because we would like to deliver quality possession and create a good base to build from.”

Ox Nche can't wait to play in front of crowds again.

Commenting on Kolbe’s injury, Davids said the coaches would make a call on his availability for selection on Wednesday.

“All of the injured players are back on the field, it is only Cheslin Kolbe who took a knock to the leg on Friday,” Davids said.

“He has had medical assessments and it didn’t show anything serious, so I’m sure he’ll be good to go as soon as possible. He didn’t train on Tuesday, but we will make a call on his availability for selection by tomorrow.”

Davids and Springbok prop Ox Nché shared in the excitement about the prospect of playing in front of a crowd for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The players are excited to play in front of a capacity crowd again - it has been some time since we last experienced that,” said Davids.

“We’ll obviously have to adapt again, especially with our communication and a few other things, but it’s going to be fantastic and hopefully it will fire up the guys more.”

Nché echoed these sentiments: “I’m pretty excited. For me personally it is important to use every opportunity in the green and gold, and it’s very exciting that there will be fans at the stadium.

“It’s almost unreal. I can’t remember how it feels. So, I’m pretty nervous, but excited.”

Having been part of the Springbok squad in his debut season in 2018 and now again in 2021, Nché said the team had grown in leaps and bounds.

“I would say 2018 was the beginning of the journey that we started with Rassie (Erasmus, SA Rugby Director of Rugby) and Jacques (Nienaber, Springbok head coach), and we were still adapting to get to the point where we had one vision,” said Nché.

“Now everyone has the same mindset and makes the necessary sacrifices for the Springbok jersey; it doesn’t matter how many Tests matches one has played. We play for one another.”

Nienaber will announce his team to face the Wallabies in the first of two Tests on Wednesday.