The mood in South Africa has changed significantly in the few short weeks since the Springboks last played Australia.
A win against the All Blacks in New Zealand will do that.
But coach Rassie Erasmus's approach to the hype on their return home this week means there has been no complacency ahead of Saturday's Test in Port Elizabeth.
He views the public pressure - both good and bad - as a privilege the high-profile side should enjoy and feels a "responsibility to perform and repay them".
"The media, the press, fans get negative but you have to see it as a hell of a positive," he said.
"I think that's when you're in trouble, when people stop getting disappointed when you're not doing well.
"Now, we get one result, people are selling out the stadiums; we're privileged to play in a country where people get upset when you lose, don't just forget about you.
Australia are bottom of the Rugby Championship standings, sitting on five points behind New Zealand (16), South Africa (10) and Argentina (8) and have won only two of their last nine games.
But one of those was a 23-18 defeat of South Africa in Brisbane earlier this month.
"There's a different pressure this week than last week," Erasmus mused.
"Last week nobody gave us a chance, this week everyone expects us to beat Australia, who beat us last time."
The Boks will unleash Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira at loosehead prop while zippy winger Cheslin Kolbe and No.8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe will make their run-on debuts at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
And Jesse Kriel moves from the wing to outside centre in a revamped midfield after injuries to Damian de Allende, Warren Whiteley and Lukhanyo Am.
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