The South Africa rugby squad has left Johannesburg for its away leg of the Tri Nations in Australia and New Zealand, still showing the scars from last Saturday's 52-16 loss against the All Blacks.

"For every hill that you climb, you find there is a mountain in front of you," coach Rudolf Straeuli told a news conference at Johannesburg international airport ahead of the squad's departure.

"It does not help to sulk about it, you have to get on and make decisions. For every decision there has to be action and we have made them," said Straeuli, quoted by local news agency SAPA.

The Springboks face Australia in Brisbane on August 2, followed by the clash against New Zealand a week later in Dunedin.

Captain Corne Krige said the players had discussed the 52-16 loss to New Zealand, their heaviest ever defeat on home soil, on the Sunday morning following the match and again on Thursday afternoon, with management present.

"In the end, you can say as much as you like and discuss as much as you like. It's all about action and changing things that you think aren't right and making sure that whatever happened over the weekend will never happen again as long as we play," said Krige.

Straeuli has added centre Jorrie Muller from the Golden Lions and utility back Gus Theron from Western Province in a 28-man squad for the matches in Australasia, dropping centre Andre Snyman but stopping short of wielding the axe.

Recalled scrum-half Neil de Kock and hooker Lukas van Biljon, as well as loose forward Pedrie Wanneburg and lock Geo Cronje, will join the Boks only next week, after having played a provincial or club match in South Africa on Straeuli's recommendation.

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