Handre Pollard has vowed South Africa will unite under their quest for World Cup glory, despite political wrangling over their presence at the tournament.
Fly-half Pollard pledged the Springboks will leave the politicking out of their World Cup campaign that starts with Saturday's clash against Japan in Brighton.
The Agency for New Agenda failed in an attempt to ban the Springboks from attending the World Cup, claiming the squad does not meet government policy due to its lack of black players.
And Pollard is adamant Heyneke Meyer's men are unfazed by any turbulence in the build-up.
"The politics is for the politicians to sort out," said Pollard. "We have one purpose and one goal and that is to win the Rugby World Cup. The politics doesn't affect us at all."
The 21-year-old will continue his fight for the Springboks' No 10 jersey with rival Pat Lambie, but insisted that battle only serves to improve both players.
"If you play for the Springboks you have got to know there is competition from the best players in the country," he said.
"Pat's been doing very well. I have probably played more than him in the last couple of years, but every time he has come on he has done a great job.
"We spoke about the team coming first the other day in our team building. You must never have a bad word to say about anybody, always keep working hard and always keep encouraging.
"The great thing about the Boks at the moment is that we have a great culture and a great sense of caring for each other."
Along with Japan, the 1995 and 2007 champions are joined in Pool B by Samoa, Scotland and the USA.