Loftus is our 16th man: Strauss

And losing is furthest from his mind at the stadium where it all began for him as a player.

The Springboks are attempting to halt a three-match losing streak in the Rugby Championship and at least salvage what is left of what has been a massively disappointing five month period since Allister Coetzee took the coaching reins post-World Cup 2015.

For Strauss Loftus always holds that special kind of magic and if ticket sales are anything to go by - some 46 000 tickets had been sold by late Friday afternoon - then there is little doubt that the supporters are still steadfastly behind their team.

Strauss admitted it had been very tough on the players over the past month and conceded that, as players, they do 'take it personally'.

Former Springbok scrumhalf and Loftus hero Fourie du Preez was given the honour of handing over the match jerseys to the team.

Du Preez, who captained the Springboks in four matches at the Rugby World Cup last year, offered some words of encouragement as well as some advice.

"It was massive to have him here with us at this time," said Strauss. 

"He is someone that I have a lot of respect for as a person and as a rugby player. He is one of our best ever Springboks and a very inspirational figure." 

The match kicks off at 5pm tomorrow afternoon at Loftus.