Whiteley: Evolving Boks 'hungry' for more
South African captain Warren Whiteley, speaking ahead of the third an final Test against France, said they feel they are 'heading in the right direction' and have made great steps off the field.
However, they will keep their feet firmly on the ground, going into Saturday's showdown at Ellis Park.
"There is confidence growing within the group," Whiteley told a media briefing at the team's base in Johannesburg.
He spoke of the continuity and how it "makes things easier as the guys get more familiar with the processes and our game plan".
"There are still challenges and we have to overcome them as the days and weeks go by.
"The group is evolving," he said, adding: "We are hungry to keep improving.
"That is the key, the hunger to improve even more.
"This week is another opportunity for us," Whiteley said, adding that it is very important to keep the momentum.
He said their is no risk of the Boks underestimating Les Bleus and it is not going to be easy an easy contest at Ellis Park.
"If you look at the two previous Tests, there were moments in those games where we had to show some character and we did that.
"The French are not just going to roll over, they have come here to play."
The Bok skipper also spoke of the foundation that was laid, in the last month or so, and the "hunger" in the team to keep improving.
"If we look after the small little things, the processes, the rest will take care of itself."
The improved form of the Boks also means Saturday's Test is heading towards a sell-out crowd, with more than 52,000 tickets having been sold by Thursday.
"It is just an unbelievable feeling and we are very grateful as players to see that kind of support," Whiteley said.
"It is amazing to know the country is behind us. Ellis Park is just an amazing place to play, a really, really special place.
"It is going to be an amazing atmosphere."
Whiteley said that while the Boks have set a good foundation, there is still a lot of hard work to be done.
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
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