New Zealand look poised to win their fifth Tri-Nations crown in eight seasons today as they take on a South African side trying to shrug off their reputation as the dirtiest team in rugby.
The All Blacks -- who posted 50-point wins against both the Springboks and Australia in their away matches earlier in the tournament -- need only a victory and a bonus point to secure back-to-back Tri-Nations titles.
Boasting a backline bristling with talented runners, New Zealand have scored tries for fun this year, with wingers Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett outstanding.
But though New Zealand's electrifying back-play has lit up the southern hemisphere season, it has been the skullduggery of the Springboks that has hogged the headlines in the build-up to Saturday's encounter at Carisbrook.
South Africa were forced onto the defensive after Australia coach Eddie Jones branded the Springboks a "disgrace" following his team's bruising 29-9 win in Brisbane last week.
Two Springbok players -- prop Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha -- were cited for foul play and subsequently banned amid allegations of spitting, gouging and biting.
South African manager Gideon Sam launched an emphatic rebuttal of the Australian claims -- adding that it would be a relief to play in New Zealand this week.
"We're going into a country that understands tough rugby and that's what we talk about, we play tough rugby," Sam said. "We're never going to play like a bunch of sissies."
And wing Stefan Terblanche said South Africa would show no let-up in their uncompromising style -- and warned the Springboks would be even more aggressive against New Zealand.
"We can be much more physical, especially in the forwards," Terblanche said, describing the Australia Test as "one of the least physical I've been involved in."
"We are physical but we don't eye gouge and bite, that's not part of our team. We have to lift our game," he said.
Whether South Africa's physical approach will be good enough to prevent a New Zealand victory must be in doubt.
All Blacks coach John Mitchell has made five changes to his pack, anxious to look at all his options ahead of next week's Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia.
The front row has been overhauled with the experienced trio of props Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft and hooker Mark Hammet replacing Greg Sommerville, Dave Hewett and hooker Keven Mealamu.
The biggest surprise has been the selection of former rugby league player Brad Thorn as a starting lock in place of Chris Jack. Thorn partners Ali Williams in the second row.
"It will be another very good learning for Brad and it's a great opportunity for the team because he does bring different kinds of strength. He is a very strong, dynamic footballer," Mitchell said.
Elsewhere flanker Richie McCaw is rested in favour of understudy Marty Holah.
Prop Hammet said New Zealand were not expecting a repeat of their 52-16 drubbing of South Africa in Pretoria, warning that his team-mates were bracing for a Springbok backlash.
"We probably haven't done ourselves any favours," Hammet said.
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