South Africa's credentials of being serious challengers for the World Cup title in France later this year will be tested by the No.1 ranked team, New Zealand, in the second match of this year's Tri-Nations competition in Durban today.
Jake White's Springboks are coming off a thrilling, last-gasp win over Australia last weekend when replacement back Francois Steyn converted two drop-goals to ensure a 22-19 win for the home side, while the All Blacks will be in confident mood following their 64-13 victory over Canada.
While the 'Boks were the superior team against the Wallabies in Cape Town -- only brilliant defense from the visitors prevented a bigger winning margin for the 'Boks -- their true test will come today in what many have labeled a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final.
White is apparently flattered with the attention his team are receiving saying earlier this week it is nice for the 'Boks to be spoken of so highly.
"It is also a compliment to us that the All Blacks have picked their strongest possible team for this match," he said.
While the New Zealanders have indeed been able to pick a very strong outfit -- their only apparent weakness is at lock where the likes of Ali Williams and Chris Jack are unavailable -- the 'Boks have been hampered with injuries this week.
Not only will White's men have to get used to a new leader in Victor Matfield, they'll also have to do without loose forward stalwarts Pierre Spies and Juan Smith, who withdrew from the side on Thursday.
Both picked up injuries against the Wallabies, while regular captain John Smit and prop Gurthro Steenkamp are also absent.
Those setbacks, however, allow White an opportunity to see Bob Skinstad face quality opposition after his previous start against Samoa, while Danie Rossouw will not weaken the team on the flank.
It is also a wonderful opportunity for hooker Gary Botha to show he has what it takes to succeed at international level. And the Northern Bulls man could not have asked for a more challenging starting debut.
All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver is one of the toughest and strongest No. 2s in the game and he'll ask plenty of Botha in the set piece -- the one area where the 'Boks have the potential to dominate any team in the world, but are currently battling to make the most of their strength in this department.
Besides starting on home soil, the Springboks also have a slight advantage over their opponents having played a demanding match last week. The New Zealanders are coming off easy outings against a severely weakened France and Canada last week.
While there is little to choose between the packs, the 'Boks are expected to shade the tourists at the lineout with new captain Matfield and his partner in crime, Bakkies Botha, no doubt keen to embarrass Kiwis Greg Rawlinson and Troy Flavell -- real work horses, but not the best jumpers in the lineout.
Tearaway flanker Schalk Burger should be able to match the brilliance of Richie McCaw at the breakdowns and in the loose, which leaves the game nicely balanced in the hands of the two sets of backs. And it's here that the 'Boks will have to be as good as White has made them out to be.
"We've conceded just four tries in four matches this year so defensively things are going really well for us," said the Springbok's coach.
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