All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says withstanding the expected opening onslaught from South Africa will be crucial to winning their Rugby Championship Test in Johannesburg.
The clash of the world champion New Zealanders and world No.2 Springboks, playing at their traditional stronghold of Ellis Park, is one of the most anticipated Tests of the 2013 rugby calendar.
While the All Blacks have won eight from eight Tests this year, South Africa have won 10 of their last 11.
Their sole loss came against New Zealand in Auckland three weeks ago when Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis was sent off midway through a controversial 29-15 defeat.
The All Blacks haven’t played at the ground which sits 1700m above sea level for nine years.
Of the starting team, only hooker Andrew Hore played in the 2004 Test at Ellis Park which New Zealand lost 40-26, conceding five tries in the process.
McCaw says it will be vital to shut down the influence of a 65,000-strong crowd with a strong start on Saturday.
“I think that first 15 minutes is going to be pretty key to the game, to be honest,” McCaw told journalists.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be pretty noisy. It would be nice if we could silence them a bit.”
McCaw missed the Auckland Test and last week’s 33-15 defeat of Argentina in La Plata because of a knee injury.
He says he is fully recovered and set to take part in what should be a colossal battle for the gain line between two world class forward packs.
The Springboks received some positive news on Friday when centre JJ Englebrecht was cleared to start after overcoming a leg muscle injury.
They require a rare dominant win over the All Blacks to win the Rugby Championship title on points differential. They must score four tries and deny New Zealand a losing bonus point.
McCaw is unsure how hard the hosts will pursue that equation.
“If it’s anything like how we’ll approach it, the first thing is to go out and perform and win the game,” he said.
“Even if the Rugby Championship wasn’t on the line it would still be the same battle because of the pride these two teams have.”
Meanwhile, the Test will see McCaw become the most prolific player in the history of the 18-year Sanzar international series, which was formerly the Tri-Nations before Argentina joined in 2012.
McCaw is level on 48 Tests with former Wallabies captain George Gregan, one ahead of All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The Eden park match meant that the ABs continue their superiority over SA in the pro era. Just more of the same really.
GreylingGotOnlyYellow
Guest
Yes agree Ryan, lets have the last match struck from the books immediately due to forces beyond our control nor our required acceptance.......
Tane Mahuta
Guest
South Africa lost to Ireland, Aus, Fra and the Lions that year though. Still Im willing to give them 2009 despite their lower winning percentage, NZ maintaining and regaining their number 1 ranking for 3/4 of the year and SA losing to a team NZ has never lost to.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Totally forgot about Du Preez but i did hear that McCaw was back.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Bismark was unfairly sent off for 10 minutes. The reason the Boks lost was because their players are to dumb to understand that foul play will get them carded and yet Bismark elbowed a player in the throat when he was already on a yellow. It was pure stupidity that lost that game and pure stupidity is the reason why they have a new lock starting this week. When they get a clue, maybe they will have a shot. Don't hold your breath, they seem to be slow learners.
ryan
Guest
Lol, the Eden Park test meant nothing after the red card. Also, why aren't people mentioning that the average at best Pienaar was the scrumhalf in Eden Park and the Boks now have du Preez back? The man has a 5 match win streak against the All Blacks (counting the Barbarian game). He is light and day compared to Pienaar and will trouble the All Blacks immensely (unless of course he too gets red carded for passing too much) My one concern is that Kirchner is way out of his depth. He will be targeted with bombs once again.
moaman
Guest
enjoy the game mate!~ kapa o pango aue,hi,ha!! ;-)
DR
Guest
Yip. We are 11 hours in front so that's right. Will get up at 3.30am anyway to be safe ;)
Firstxv
Guest
ABs have lost 4 matches since 2010. Of the 4, one was the rested side vs SA prior to the world cup, one was hong kong, one was england last year. 3 matches that were not considered critical for one reason or another. The 4th- the 2011 match in brisbane was the one loss that the ABs had a significant amount to lose, were up for it, but didnt pull it off. One loss in four years that was crucial to a major title. This is another. No ambush, no excuses should they lose this. SA have on the other hand, numerous matches they have needed to be at their best, and werent. Tonights test is about stepping up to the biggest occasion since the world cup- last years title never on the line in one match. The challenge is there for SA to lift their game like never before, to maintain composure under fire, and execute their gameplan to as near perfection as they can and to disrupt the AB game. The ABs are old hands at facing this type of challenge so will test this SA side with everything it has. Good luck to both sides and lets please see a game worty of the occasion and feverish build up.
Daz
Guest
You're right, the games were close and there was opportunity there for the AB's - something that wasn't afforded to the Boks 2 weeks ago.The AB's are deservedly the no1 ranked team at the moment, but if they lose tonight then I'd say it would be them playing catchup (as would be whoever loses). Either way its a good test to see where the teams are at half way to the next world cup.
ryan
Guest
What? They clean sweeped them in 09 3-0. Not counting this season where it is still arguable who is better because of Poite, that is only 3 seasons ago.
moaman
Guest
Think ur right mate--Jo'Burg 5pm (3pm GMT) would make that 4am here IF my maths is correct.
DR
Guest
Coverage from 3.30am and assuming kick off at 4am? What's the Joburg time for kick off? Would be easy to work out then
AWCMONREF
Guest
Daz we had ample oppoftunity to tame those 2 games out and didn't utilize them in 07 all it would have taken was a simple drop kick 95 the Boks did an ABs on the ABs win or lose tonite the Boks will still be playing catchup with the MIB......
moaman
Guest
can anyone confirm the kickoff time in nZ? says 3 30 on my tv...but I read 3am on a guide online
Daz
Guest
I don't see how AB supporters can still be claiming that the last game against the Boks was a fair contest. With Bissie going off we lost one of our key players, which affected our scrum, our lineout, and the breakdown and meant the entire team had to defend a man down for 50 min. It DID affect the game, and DID contribute toward the loss. You all mock how Bok fans are making excuses - which is laughable since almost every second kiwi still goes on about how the AB's were "poisoned by Suzie" in '95 and not to mention the ref bashing for the forward pass in '07. Stop being so one-eyed. Tonight is another chance to see where the teams are really at. May the best team win (and I hope that is the Boks).
AWCMONREF
Guest
Agree absfan the Boks haven't been the better team then the ABs for a very long time.......
AWCMONREF
Guest
Absolutely 1st15 I'm beginning to wonder what the excuses will be if they lose this one and with Richie back leading the men in black theirs every chance of that happening imo........
allblackfan
Guest
Nicksa, people at Eden Park (myself included) could not see that because the Boks were NOT the better team that night!
Nicksa
Guest
boks are gonna win this comfortably, they are the better team. I dont know how people could not see this at eden park. I think 4 tries is asking for a bit much, but it is ellis park! u never know.