“A four-day turnaround between Tests is a challenge but we had planned for it and will be well prepared,” said Erasmus.

“This match is just as important as the three that we have already played – it has the same number of log points available and the same impact on our chances of qualifying and we have to now complete the job.”

The Springboks have made 13 changes to their starting XV for the Canada match in Kobe to manage the four-day turnaround between their final two pool encounters.

Nine of the team that defeated Namibia 57-3 in City of Toyota in the preceding match regain a starting place while Damian Willemse – who arrived as an injury replacement from the UK on Thursday – goes straight into the starting line-up at fullback.

There are also first starts at the Rugby World Cup for Thomas du Toit (prop) and Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf).

“There are a number of new combinations in our team, but we have been together for several weeks now and everyone understands our gameplan and strategies,” said Erasmus.

“The nice thing is that at the end of the match every member of the squad will have started a Rugby World Cup match.

“But the first thing we have to focus on is winning the match and securing a place in the quarter-finals.

“Our preparations for the match have been shortened by the turnaround time but we are giving Canada the same attention we applied in the three previous matches.”