Tri-Nations: World rugby's greatest rivals, South Africa and New Zealand, resume hostilities today in a Tri-Nations match given an extra edge by the Springboks' feat last weekend.
South Africa upset world champions Australia 26-22 in the opening match and they will be even more fired up against the All Blacks in the heartland of Afrikaner rugby.
Defending Tri-Nations champions New Zealand have won seven of the last nine Tests between the teams and each of the last four, but the Springboks are always a daunting foe at Loftus Versfeld.
"I think it may be the most hostile crowd in the country," said lock Victor Matfield. "And if you're in the lead, they're just crazy."
Matfield was a key player last weekend as the Springboks consistently disrupted the Australia lineout. He is certain to be at the forefront again today in an area where New Zealand have been vulnerable in recent seasons.
"These days it is difficult to get turnovers from scrums," Matfield said. "The easiest way is through the lineouts and we are working very hard at that."
Brent Russell, who has scored five tries in his 10 Tests, will start today while veteran scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen will make his final appearance at home for the Springboks.
New Zealand have recalled experienced inside centre Aaron Mauger in place of his Canterbury team-mate Daniel Carter, who took over the goal kicking against Wales and France.
Outhalf Carlos Spencer will again be entrusted with the goal-kicking. Spencer succeeded with only three out of seven attempts in the 15-13 loss to England last month while his opposite number, Louis Koen, is one of the most accurate kickers in world rugby - he converted both of the Springboks' tries last week as well as kicking four penalties.
New Zealand loosehead prop Dave Hewett will replace Carl Hoeft, who withdrew from the match yesterday with a torn adductor muscle. "It's a straight swap, loosehead for loosehead," All Black coach John Mitchell said.
Hoeft had been preferred to Hewett as one of three changes to the side that beat France 31-23 in Christchurch on June 28th. Hewett had not been in the match 22, with specialist tighthead Kees Meeuws given the prop's bench position.
Today's match referee is the former Ireland scrumhalf Alain Rolland.
SOUTH AFRICA: Brent Russell; Stefan Terblanche, Andre Snyman, De Wet Barry, Ashwin Willemse; Louis Koen, Joost van der Westhuizen; Juan Smith, Wikus van Heerden, Corne Krige (captain), Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Richard Bands, Danie Coetzee Lawrence Sephaka. Replacements: Dale Santon, Robbie Kempson, Selborne Boome, Pedrie Wannenburg, Craig Davidson, Gcobani Bobo, Andre Pretorius.
NEW ZEALAND: Malili Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine; Jerry Collins, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (captain), Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hoeft. Replacements: Mark Hammett, Kees Meeuws, Brad Thorn, Rodney So'oialo, Justin Marshall, Daniel Carter, Caleb Ralph.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
