Captain Jean de Villiers has said that South Africa need to win all their remaining Rugby World Cup group matches in order to qualify for the knockout stages.
An 84th-minute try from Karne Hesketh saw South Africa suffer a shock 34-32 defeat to Japan in their opening fixture.
"There's a lot of disappointment," De Villiers told BBC Sport. "Big credit to Japan they put us under pressure at the end and we were not good enough.
"There is still a possibility to make it out of the group and we need to win every game we have got left but it is hugely disappointing. The character of this side will be tested. It is not doom and gloom but a massive dent to us."
South Africa's World Cup campaign continues against Samoa next Saturday.
