The Test will be 99th between the two countries, and the Springboks will want to make an early statement with a victory against the double-defending champions.

There is still uncertainty over the fitness of the Kiwi’s lock, Brodie Retallick and word out of New Zealand leads one to believe that he will not be playing.

Retallick sustained a shoulder injury on 27 July in the 16-16 draw to the Springboks in Wellington during the Rugby Championship.

There is no doubt of Retallick’s value to the All Blacks and it for a good reason that he is considered to be the finest second-rower in the World at the moment.

The Springbok forwards coach, Matthew Proudfoot, admits that he will be a big loss for their men in black, and he believes that whoever plays in his place will be there on merit.

“Are you sure he is not playing?” Proudfoot responded to the question posed to him by the New Zealand media.

“Steve Hansen said that he has a full squad to select a team from, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a little trick up their sleeve.

“If he plays, he’s a massive player, a good player for them. If he doesn’t play they have two very-very good replacements in Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipoluto.

“There is no denying that Brodie is a world-class player, but I’m sure that the four second-rowers that they brought to the World Cup are excellent at what they do.

“The nature of the experience in their pack with the likes of Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read bridges that gap between losing a world-class player like Brodie and bringing in a new player like Scott or Patrick.

“We are preparing to face a really determined All Blacks side, and we know that the close combat areas are going to be really competitive. Whether it be a scrum, a maul, a lineout contesting or breakdown, that pack is really going to bring it.”

Meanwhile, the All Blacks are almost sure to field the influential centre, Sonny Bill Williams, and his Springbok counterpart, Damian de Allende, welcomes the challenge.

“I’ve played against him numerous times at Test level and at Super Rugby level and the challenge he gives you on the field is amazing.

“I think that if you embrace the challenge it can only make you, not just a better rugby player but a better person off the field as well.

“He does a lot for humanity off the field as well, and I always look forward to the challenge.”

Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated World Cup game between the Springboks and All Blacks in Yokohama kicks off at 11:45.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport