Nick Mallett faces the prospect of a third consecutive defeat but remains as defiant as ever - rubbishing speculation on his future as Springbok coach.

Speaking from Christchurch, Mallett has asked for Bok supporters to show patience even if they return home winless from their Australasian venture. The concern among rugby aficionados is not so much about whether Mallett's adopting the right game plan, but whether he has the vision to deliver on a playing style foreign to his previous "defend at all costs" coaching philosophy.

However, another defeat and the self-doubt among the players will increase about the new strategy Mallett has belatedly embarked on. But what would have motivated the Boks is the fact that New Zealanders arrogantly seem to regard the outcome of Saturday's Tri-Nations encounter as a fait accompli.

A repeat of last year's 28-0 humiliation in Dunedin is inconceivable but the Kiwis are confident of another "blackout".

In commenting on his future, last year's Dunedin debacle seems to have escaped Mallett. "You did not find Australians crying about their performance against the All Blacks last week, and wanting to fire their coach because they lost by four points. Why should we be any different in South Africa?

"I will not tell this team that each loss is a disaster, because then they start thinking that they are incapable of winning. What will be a disaster is if we go backwards in our mission to perfect the art of the modern game, and by that I mean keeping the ball in hand and waiting until we break down the defence," Mallett said.

"People forget that we have not yet realised our potential. During our week off in Australia we worked tremendously hard on individual defence, our organisation from second phases onwards and our restarts and lineouts. And the hard work has improved a spirit that was already good."