New Zealand desperate to put on improved performance at Ellis Park - Sam Cane

New Zealand captain Sam Cane insisted that his team is desperate to return back to winning ways as they face South Africa in the second round of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The All Blacks will be heading to the weekend's encounter with five defeats from six games that has pushed them down to the fifth place in the World Rugby Rankings.

Tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse and Willie Le Roux along with a 16-point contribution from Handre Pollard ensured the Springboks registered a 26-10 win in the opening game of the tournament which sparked further criticism on head coach Ian Foster and Cane.

"There's a trophy on the line," said Cane.

"We're playing at Ellis Park and we're desperate to improve and put out better performances than we are.

"There's as much on the line as there's ever been."

Another defeat will mean All Blacks would have lost four straight games which would put further pressure on Foster retaining his role as head coach with New Zealand chief executive Mark Robinson already insisting that they will be reviewing their options after the games against the Springboks.

"You certainly feel the pressure -– it's impossible not to. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

"Pressure has always been part of being an All Black.

"Without a doubt, it's extra pressure.

"You can look to see it as a burden or embrace it and see it as an extra challenge."