A rare win in New Zealand showed South Africa what they were capable of but halfback Faf De Klerk won't be satisfied unless they produce the same precision against the Wallabies on Saturday.
The Springboks revived their Rugby Championship campaign with a rousing 36-34 defeat of the All Blacks in Wellington that followed losses in Australia and Argentina.
In the hours that followed that upset, the Wallabies were shocked 23-19 by Argentina on the Gold Coast and as a result arrive in Port Elizabeth for Saturday's rematch with their backs firmly to the wall.
The loss dropped Australia to an all-time low of No.7 in the world and, not having won in South Africa since 2011, they face an uphill battle to claw off the bottom of the Rugby Championship ladder.
But De Klerk says the visitors boast a threat equal to that of the All Blacks and will prove dangerous as the hosts strive for their own consistency.
"We enjoyed the win (in New Zealand) but after that, after we got dressed, the guys started talking about how we need to replicate this," he said on Monday.
"On their day, I don't think Australia is a worse side than New Zealand so I think this is just as tough for us.
"Every week we count the opportunities we create ... (in the Brisbane loss there were) so many times could have scored and didn't.
"We were almost our worst enemy in that game."
Australia and South Africa drew twice in last year's championship, while each side beat the other at home in 2016.
In their most recent clash in Brisbane last month the Wallabies prevailed 23-18 over the Springboks.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick reasoned that both squads were in the midst of rebuilding with veteran players returning from European stints.
"We are in a similar phase ... they have lost some of their experienced players," he said.
"They got Kurtley (Beale) and (Will) Genia back and they are talking of getting (Adam) Ashley-Cooper back into their squad and Faf is now back for us."
The Wallabies pair's return in particular will have Stick on his toes come Saturday.
"They are hurting and we have recently been there so we are not going to underestimate them," he said.
"They have a good coaching staff and you look at Beale and Genia, who on their best day can destroy any team."
