The failure of South Africa's Super Rugby franchises does not automatically translate into disaster for the Springboks.
Bok midfielder Jan Serfontein, in the final phases of rehabilitation form hip and knee injuries, played down the fact that no SA team made it past the preliminary phases of the Super Rugby play-offs.
The Stormers were the only SA team to qualify for the play-offs and only because of the controversial conference system. Based on overall points they were only seventh best, but was placed third in the standings as the 'winners' of the SA conference.
Despite the New Zealand (four teams who finished with more points than the best SA team) and Australian (two teams) dominance, Serfontein feels there is no need to panic.
"I don't think that [SA teams' poor form] will be a major role with the Springboks," he told a media scrum, as the national team started its build-up to the opening international of the year - against a World XV at Newlands on Saturday.
"When the guys get here, the best from all the provinces, they all just go to the next level when they put on that Bok jersey.
"I don't think there is much to stress about," he added.
Serfontein, who will return to full training this week, hopes to get some game time against the World XV.
Having missed large chunks of the season, with two serious injuries, and plenty of competition for midfield positions in the Bok squad, Serfontein is keen to get a crack at proving his worth.
"There are a lot of centres in the group at the moment and there is a lot of competition, with jean [de Villiers] also back and Jaque Fourie," he told the media briefing.
He feels it is good for the team, because it adds depth.
"It will get the best out of all of us," he said, adding; "Jean and Jaque have played a lot of Tests together and they have done a lot of great things together.
"Having them in the squad, with the amount of knowledge they bring to the video and field sessions, I have learnt a lot from them."
While not much are separating all the centres, Serfontein knows that hard work awaits all the hopefuls.
However, having partnered Bok skipper De Villiers in the midfield, he is keen to renew that combination.
"I feel we made a nice combination," he said, adding that it makes no difference if he plays at outside centre or inside centre.
"I still prefer to play at No.12, but last year they named me at No.13 in the Springbok side and I was just happy to be in the team - as long as I can make a contribution.
"I am pretty comfortable at both centre positions at the moment."
He said there are a couple of small differences between No.12 and No.13.
"No.12 obviously gets the ball a bit more and needs to take the ball up in first phase at times. No.13 has a bit more space out wide, but the outside centre doesn't get as much ball as the inside centre."
