Their methods may not be universally popular but Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick is keen to remind the team's detractors they're still top of the world.
Speaking from the Springboks' base in Queensland's Gold Coast as they prepare in quarantine for next Sunday's Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies, Stick is increasingly indignant of questionable critiques of the Boks' playing style.
The Springboks' attack coach perhaps has a vested interest as he strongly defended the team's preferred modus operandi which places a premium on forward dominance, redoubtable tactical kicking, as well as unremitting defence.
Former World Cup winning coaches Clive Woodward and Steve Hansen count among the chorus who have poured scorn over the Boks' blueprint that tends to leave those in its path battered, bruised and ultimately bowed.
It may not score high for artistic excellence but it is ruthlessly effective in a sport designed for high-velocity collision.
"We are not going to focus on what people are saying about how we should play the game," insisted Stick. "They must focus on playing that touch rugby, or Champagne rugby there. We will focus on what we do best and keep improving it."
What the Boks have been doing, they've been doing pretty well, despite the fact that they were rendered inactive last year. The opening Test defeat against the British & Irish Lions is the only blemish in their past 12 Tests.
They have since solidified their position at the top of World Rugby's rankings with back-to-back victories over Argentina.
There is no reason for them to deviate from what has worked as they resume battle in the defence of their Rugby Championship crown. They face the Wallabies in Gold Coast next Sunday.
"They play to their strengths and we play to our strengths," said Stick about the Wallabies. "That is the beauty of the game.
"We won't change who we are. We will stick to our DNA. We will stick to what we do best.
"We won't be influenced by the white noise out there. We are on the right track winning games."
If anything, the Boks will be emboldened in their style of play with the expected return of scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and No 8 Duane Vermeulen from injury next week. The former was injured in the second Test against the Lions, while Vermeulen, who had to yield to an ankle operation and was sidelined longer, may be eased back off the bench.
Vermeulen this week gave the thumbs up to the way Jasper Wiese has deputised at the back of the scrum in his absence.
Stick reported all in their 40-odd group were eligible for selection, except perhaps utility forward Rynhardt Elstadt.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies has also been restored to fitness which means Bok coach Jacques Nienaber may have one or two prickly selection calls to make in his squad of 23.
The Bok brains trust will likely make some of their selections for next weekend and the week after mindful of what lies ominously on the horizon.
They also play the All Blacks in back-to-back Tests and Jantjies may be an operator who is more likely to warm to that occasion. It was after all against the All Blacks that Jantjies announced himself on the international scene in Wellington in 2019.
That first Test against the All Blacks is building up to be one of the most keenly anticipated Tests for some time. It isn't just the old foes 100th clash that elevates its status, but it is an occasion in which the Boks can solidify their claim of being the best team on the planet.
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