South Africa v New Zealand: The All Blacks open their Tri-Nations account against the Springboks today full of confidence after a 3-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions and a three-week rest.
The last time New Zealand played a match they beat the Lions 38-19 in Auckland on July 9th.
The Springboks by contrast will be playing their third Test in three weeks when the sides clash at Newlands.
New Zealand captain Tana Umaga explained that a three-week break from the game was necessary after a Lions series that put both teams under intense media scrutiny.
"After a series like that I was glad to get some time off," Umaga admitted this week.
"The games were really physical and the hype surrounding the tour was huge. At the end of it I was just mentally and physically drained and welcomed the break."
While the All Blacks will be well-rested - some even think a little under-prepared - they will at least be playing at a ground that has been kind to them over the years.
The Cape Town venue has hosted seven Tests between these great rivals but the home team have only won twice - in 1949 and 1976 - while New Zealand have won five times, including the last two Tests, in 1996 and 2001.
When the Springboks won in 1949 they were captained by Felix du Plessis and when they won in 1976 they were skippered by Morne du Plessis, Felix's son.
Morne handed over the Springboks' jerseys yesterday in what coach Jake White described as a "good omen".
In the last fortnight South Africa have defeated Australia in consecutive weekends - 33-20 in Johannesburg and 22-16 in Pretoria in last week's Tri-Nations opener - which has given them momentum and confidence.
The Springboks also have not lost at home under coach White, a record that now stretches to 10 matches, although this will only be the second time they will meet the number-one-ranked team in the world on home soil since White took over 18 months ago.
As an aside to today's game - and notwithstanding his respectable record of 12 wins in 17 Tests - White's job is said to be under threat.
SA Rugby's vice-president Andre Markgraaf is reported to have threatened to sack White, prompting the coach to write a letter to SA Rugby accusing Markgraaf of being aggressive before last week's victory over Australia and telling him to "toe the line".
As for onfield matters, White was expecting a different challenge against the New Zealanders from that of the Australians.
"While the Australians play phase rugby, the All Blacks, who are bigger and more skilful up front, employ a more direct approach," White said after last week's win over the Wallabies.
"They like close contact so we're going to have to do everything possible to give ourselves a fair chance."
Both teams have been full of mutual praise in the week leading up to the Test, Springbok lock Victor Matfield saying: "If you want to be the best you must beat the best, and the All Blacks showed against the Lions what a great team they are."
Umaga said: "The South Africans band together and play passionately for the Springboks. It just shows how much they respect their jersey."
SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Paulse, Fourie, De Villiers, Habana, Pretorius, Januarie; van Niekerk, Smith, Burger, Matfield, Botha, van der Linde, Smit (capt), Du Randt. Replacements: Shimange, Steenkamp, van den Berg, Cronje, Du Preez, Julies, van der Westhuyzen.
NEW ZEALAND: MacDonald; Gear, Umaga (capt), Mauger, Muliaina, Carter, Kelleher; So'oialo, McCaw, Collins, Williams, Jack, Hayman, Mealamu, Woodcock. Replacements: Witcombe, Somerville, Ryan, Holah, Weepu, McAlister, Rokocoko.
The England captain Martin Corry, who led the Lions for most of the first Test against New Zealand after the second-minute injury to Brian O'Driscoll, has taken over the reins at Leicester from Martin Johnson.
Corry took on the England leadership last season after an injury to Jason Robinson, who in turn had assumed the position because of the various fitness problems dogging Jonny Wilkinson, and though dropped for the last two Tests against the All Blacks this summer, the Leicester back-rower is expected to be heavily involved internationally during the new season.
"It was a tough choice to make because of Martin's England commitments," said the Leicester head coach, Pat Howard.
"But Martin's a great character, he loves the club and the players, and it's a great challenge for him to replace an icon in world rugby."
Corry, who has signed a new contract that should keep him at Welford Road for the rest of his career, said he had not hesitated to accept Howard's offer.
"It is a huge honour," he said. "The club is entering a new era with the loss of Johnno and John Wells (Leicester's former head coach), but we are geared up for success."
