Springboks desperate to bounce back

(GETTY IMAGES)

South Africa captain John Smit has warned his side's focus has been sharpened as they look to clinch the Tri-Nations against New Zealand this weekend.

The world champions missed the chance to wrap up their first Tri-Nations title since 2004 on Saturday when they were beaten 21-6 by Australia in Brisbane.

It maintained a poor run for the Springboks in the Queensland capital - where they have failed to score a try, let alone secure a win, in their previous four visits.

Despite the loss, which was the Springboks' first of the campaign, they remain firm favourites to clinch the Tri-Nations - needing just a point from their final game against the All Blacks in Hamilton this weekend.

Smit, however, insists the task should not be under-estimated - adding defeat to the Wallabies has served notice that there is still work to be done.

"We knew they [Australia] were going to be firing," he said.

"No one loses four on the trot and just rocks up. They were always going to be far more formidable this weekend, and we still have our own fate in our hands.

"Rest assured, the guys will be fired up for the final game in Hamilton."

Smit knows his side will need to create more pressure against the All Blacks.

"It's hard to pinpoint why, but it was a game where we had moments of brilliance but we just couldn't put it together enough to create that pressure," he said.