Handré Pollard (flyhalf) and Damian de Allende (centre) are amongst seven Springbok players released to play in the Currie Cup this coming weekend.
The Springbok duo will join Dillyn Leyds (utility back), Wilco Louw (prop, both DHL Western Province), Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), Dan du Preez (loose forward, both Cell C Sharks) and Rudy Paige (scrumhalf, Vodacom Blue Bulls) in Currie Cup action for the respective provinces this weekend.
Pollard came on as a second half replacement for the Springboks against the All Blacks on Saturday in Albany, his first Test appearance since the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He has struggled with an ankle injury for the most part of the season, which limited his playing time.
Meanwhile, coach Allister Coetzee says the Springboks were caught in the perfect storm when they played the the All Blacks in Albany, but insisted that the 57-0 Rugby Championship drubbing won't define the team's year.
The Boks suffered their first defeat of 2017 against the All Blacks, but it was the way they meekly surrendered in the face of the New Zealanders that is the biggest concern for South African fans. It just looked like the South Africans didn't belong on the same field as the New Zealanders, who against wiped the floor with their rivals.
"We got with hit the perfect storm," Coetzee said. "They had been criticised for their performance against Australia and Argentina, and we all know you don't need to motivate the All Blacks to play against the Boks.
"It was the perfect day for them. We didn't execute, and they punished us."
After a disastrous 2016, the Boks showed much promise by beating France and Argentina, before playing to a 23-23 draw with Australia in Perth. But the Boks were badly exposed against the All Blacks, who dominated all aspects of the match.
Still, Coetzee is adamant that they have made progress this year, and that this result is not going to have an impact on their plans going forward.
"You don't get defined by one defeat. Even the All Blacks lost to the British and Irish Lions earlier this year and they didn't become a bad team," Coetzee said.
"We're being tested in the depth department and new players coming in this year, but I believe the progress is still there. We've had one defeat out of seven (games) and brought two points back home; that's the story."
The Springboks next face the Wallabies in Bloemfontein on 30 September, and Coetzee says he is not going to make wholesale changes to the squad after one of the biggest defeats in South African rugby history.
"This is not the time to make knee-jerk decisions, and I'm not going to blame any individuals for what happened. We're a team, and it's also important to note that Rome wasn't built in one day," Coetzee said.
"When you go through a transition, and have a new team like we do this year, one must not only focus on the storms, but look at the rainbow as well. There are a number of players who played for the first time against New Zealand in New Zealand, and showed good form, and I'm proud of that."