Mzwandile Stick says he had to overcome certain doubts about himself after he was axed from the Springbok coaching team following the 2016 season.

Stick was demoted from the national set-up after just one season working alongside former coach Allister Coetzee, with Franco Smith and Brendan Venter subsequently coming in as new assistant coaches for the 2017 season.

However, Coetzee was fired after a second year of underwhelming results, while Stick has now been recalled to a new-look Bok coaching team to work alongside head coach Rassie Erasmus.

It’s been quite a reversal in fortunes for Stick, who admitted to media on Tuesday that he had to recover from that confidence blow in 2017.

‘I’m a very strong character to where I was [in 2017]. At that stage in my career … You’re right, yes, it gave me a huge punch. You keep asking yourself questions and doubting yourself. But if you know yourself and know where you come from, those kinds of challenges become a part of you. They are challenges I have had to face.

‘I knew the day I became a coach I’d have to face challenges, I knew I would have to go through potholes and over speed bumps. But I know my value, and I know what I can contribute to this team. I believe I have what it takes, I have no doubts about that.’

The Boks are set to face Wales in a season-opening Test this Saturday, with the match-day squad to be named on Wednesday.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images