VENUE & TIME: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Saturday July 5, 5:35pm AEST.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 72 - New Zealand 40, South Africa 29, Draws 3.
LAST TIME: July 14, 2007 (Christchurch) - New Zealand 33-6 South Africa.
WALKING WOUNDED: Captain and flanker Richie McCaw is the most notable absentee from the All Blacks line-up while halfback Brendon Leonard and wing Joe Rokocoko are two other long-term absentees from the All Blacks side. Lock Ali Williams appears to have recovered sufficiently from his ankle injury to take his place in the side while prop Tony Woodcock makes his first starting appearance since returning from his ankle injury. For South Africa Joe van Niekerk marks his return to the big time rugby since suffering a slipped disc last year.
FORM: New Zealanders who observed the outstanding play of No.8s Ryan Kankowski and Pierre Spies during the Super 14 will be surprised that Joe van Niekerk has been preferred to both of them for this first Test. South Africa, like New Zealand, had three comfortable romps in preparation for the Tri Nations which reverts to the ELVs and includes two new trial laws. In home conditions the changed All Blacks team has quickly found its attacking touch but the Springboks can be expected to test the defensive qualities of the side.
WHO'S HOT: Second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu will attract a lot of South African interest for his line-breaking abilities while inside him Dan Carter has recovered some of his finest touches and he always enjoys the challenge of big occasions. A night of swirling winds at Westpac Stadium is likely to see plenty of that. Rodney So'oialo has been impressive in his two previous roles at blinside flanker and No.8 and will now have to complete the open side role.
Bryan Habana has quickly regained his world-class touch on the wing while second five-eighths Jean de Villiers has become one of the finest practitioners of his craft in the world. But it is in the core of the scrum that South Africa's true class lies with locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha the frontrunners in the world game in the position.
WE THINK: This could well be a game of free-kicks. Many members of the Springboks side have not yet played under the ELVs, Matfield and captain John Smit especially. They will have a quick learning curve and could be vulnerable if they are on the field for the full 80 minutes. This will be easily the toughest test to date for the All Blacks and their versatility will be tested in the absence of McCaw in the loose. Advantages will have to be gained from other areas. The All Blacks have been adaptable throughout their heritage, and this will represent just another challenge to that quality. All Blacks by five.
TEAMS:
New Zealand1 - Tony Woodcock, 2 - Andrew Hore, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Brad Thorn, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Adam Thomson, 7 - Rodney So'oialo (captain), 8 - Jerome Kaino, 9 - Andy Ellis, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Rudi Wulf, 12 - Ma'a Nonu, 13 - Conrad Smith, 14 - Sitiveni Sivivatu, 15 - Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: 16 - Keven Mealamu, 17 - Neemia Tialata, 18 - Anthony Boric, 19 - Sione Lauaki, 20 - to be named, 21 - Stephen Donald,