The victory at Sky Stadium not only saw South Africa reclaim the top spot on the world rankings, but they also retained the Freedom Cup, which is on offer in matches between the Boks and New Zealand.

The Boks arrived back in South Africa on Sunday night after departing Wellington in the early hours of Sunday morning (NZ time) to Sydney and then to Johannesburg, before making their way to their respective home provinces.

With two matches remaining in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against the Pumas – in Durban on Saturday 27 September and at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London on 4 October – the competition is still wide open.

Only two points separate all four teams on the log. The Wallabies lead the standings on 11 points, followed by the second-placed Springboks and third-placed All Blacks (both on 10 pts), and Argentina (9 pts). Australia and New Zealand play each other home and away on the same dates.

All four teams have won two of their four matches so far, and in the Boks’ case specifically, they will be wary of the fact that the Pumas have beaten the Wallabies and All Blacks.

“The Pumas are playing good rugby, and it will be a good challenge when we face them,” said Kolbe.

“There’s hope within our group (that we can retain the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title), so we just need to approach each training session and game at a time now, remain humble, and continue to put in the hard work.”

The Bok squad will have a few days off with their families and reassemble in Durban on Thursday to re-acclimatise to the South African conditions and time zone after spending three weeks in New Zealand, with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus set to announce his squad for the two matches in next few days.

“Once we go back to training, I’m sure the coaches will have plans for us for the next two games,” said Kolbe.

“They’ve been playing really well in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and it’s always a physical battle against the Argentineans. That said, we need to make sure we focus on ourselves and where we can be better.

“We must be clinical. Test rugby is all about being clinical, disciplined, and playing on the right side of the field.”

The Bok back three with the Freedom Cup.

Looking back at the team’s record win in Wellington, which not only marked the Boks’ biggest victory against the All Blacks, but the home side’s worst defeat in history, the humble speedster said it was a special night.

“To keep the Freedom Cup in South Africa means a lot to the team and country,” said Kolbe, who scored the first two of the Boks' six tries.

“We owed ourselves a good performance, and everybody did their best and sacrificed everything for the team.

“That said, we need to take it week by week and not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, we have to look back at that game and see where we can be better in the next two games.”

Asked what his take was on the heavy criticism levelled at the Springboks’ new backline, which many considered too young and inexperienced for the challenge of facing the All Blacks, Kolbe said there was a special environment within the team and that every player backed one another.

“I think the players showed a lot of positive energy, that they mean business, and also that they want to play for a position in the team,” said Kolbe.

“That’s one thing about this squad, whoever gets their opportunity, we’ll back them and make sure that whenever they go into big games like that, that they are confident about themselves.

“I must give credit to the coaches as well for feeding us through with information and for making us as comfortable as possible throughout the week. What the young guys and the whole backline did, was unbelievable.”

He concluded: “Now, we need to keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard. We can still rectify a lot, especially in terms of using our opportunities, and we can be better.”