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The traditional rivalry of South Africa and New Zealand, the Sprinboks and the All Blacks, is to be reignited on the second biggest stage of all – the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
It looms as a disappointing fixture, with South Africa scraping past Wales in the quarter-finals, while the All Blacks blew France off the park, breaking several records on their way to a 62-13 win.
On the basis of that alone, many are tipping the All Blacks to breeze through.
But it wasn’t that simple for New Zealand earlier this year in the Rugby Championship, and it’s unlikely to be here.
South Africa are a proud side, with plenty of good players, a resilient coaching staff and a gameplan that keeps them in games.
A late Richie McCaw try saw the All Blacks take a game the Springboks had the better of for much of the first half, and portions of the second, earlier this year.
Since then, the All Blacks have gone through relatively unscathed, barring a loss to Australia in Sydney.
They were threatened by Argentina in the World Cup pool match, but managed to escape with a good win. Their decimation of France has tipped the balance, with many believing they’ve found the mojo of four years ago.
South Africa, on the other hand, have had a turbulent few months. Losses to Australia away, Argentina at home were followed by redemption against Argentina away.
A shock loss to Japan in the pool stages had many kissing their dreams of a World Cup victory off, but strong performances against Scotland and Samoa did a bit to reassure Boks fans.
An unconvincing win over Wales followed in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, as they required a try to Fourie du Preez, after a brilliant draw and offload from Duane Vermeulen, in the last ten minutes to get to the semi.
Unconvincing, maybe, but it’s a new day and a new game. There’s no reason they can’t turn on a performance like the one in the Rugby Championship against New Zealand.
As much as Wallabies fans might beg to differ, New Zealanders and South Africans see this match-up as the pinnacle of rugby. Another chapter will be written on Sunday morning Australian time, and despite all the talk that it will be a fizzer, we predict it will be a game worthy of getting up early for.
Talking teams, and both sides have named mostly unchanged outfits from their quarter finals.
Joe Moody comes in as an injury replacement for Wyatt Crockett, but beyond that both teams remain the same.
Make no mistake, South Africa will lift for the All Blacks. Their linespeed will be better, their hits will be harder. Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen, both impressive against Wales, will left again.
The All Blacks will not be given the same opportunities they were against a fractured French team.
You can’t expect another half century to be racked up in this one. Expect the forward clashes to be bone-shaking, and the backs to not give an inch in defence. Whoever flinches will cede the advantage, and you fancy that if the Springboks give Julian Savea or Nehe Milner-Skudder any space, they could be in for a long night.
The scrum will be an intriguing battle.
New Zealand had the advantage of the French, who looked outmuscled in every department. South Africa will fancy their chances both here and in the lineout, and will target Dane Coles’ work at set piece.
The backrow battle will also be intriguing. If Francois Lowe can keep Richie McCaw out of the game, and make it more about collisions than work over the ball, you fancy that South Africa have the ball carriers to get over the game line.
But at this stage of the tournament all the analysis goes out the window as soon as the teams step out on the pitch.
So, will it be close? We say yes, with New Zealand getting our tip.
Prediction: All Blacks by 8.
South Africa:
Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
New Zealand:
Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.