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Cape Town - Springbok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot says that transforming the national side is a priority for the coaching staff.
Results might not be going South Africa's way at the moment - they are coming off losses to Argentina and Australia - but there is a bigger picture at play, says Proudfoot.
The Boks are in Wellington this week preparing for Saturday's clash against the All Blacks, and Proudfoot said that securing a first win over New Zealand since 2014 was not the driving force behind the Boks.
"Rassie (Erasmus) has made it very clear that if we don't get transformation right, if we don't get the squad right to be competitive at the World Cup, it doesn't matter what we do," Proudfoot said as quoted by New Zealand website Stuff.
"Bringing a squad together that could win an individual game isn't what it's about for us.
"We realise as coaches and management - and this is driven by Rassie - that if we have to get fired for an individual loss or series of losses, then so be it.
"We started a process that will develop a team that's competitive at the World Cup and represents South Africa as a nation united, that's what this squad is about."
Proudfoot added that the coaching staff was aware of the frustration from back home.
"We hear it, obviously you listen to it. For all the people who criticise there are people supporting us," Proudfoot explained.
"I can show you my phone and the messages of support we get from past players, 'just stick with what you're doing'.
"They can see the effort and what this team is doing on the field. Mistakes are going to happen when you're developing a side. Every second half has been above our opponents and that's effort. We will get the execution right the more experience this team gets."
Kick-off on Saturday is at 09:35 (SA time).
