Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes his team can beat the world champs in their own backyard this Saturday.
South Africa got the better of New Zealand in Wellington in the Rugby Championship last season and Erasmus, who sent some of his players over to the Land of the Long White Cloud last week already, knows that if they can repeat that feat they will enter this year’s World Cup full of confidence.
He says: “We sent a few of the boys early to acclimatise to the conditions in New Zealand.
“We want to try and win the Test match.
“The last three three matches against New Zealand was close and we’re expecting a massive one.
“They are playing at home and they will be waiting for us there.”
Both teams fielded weakened teams in their season-openers, with New Zealand leaving the bulk of their Super Rugby champions Crusaders players at home on their tour of Argentina.
They got over that hurdle, winning 20-16 in the end, but by no means was it convincing.
South Africa, on the other hand, played their B-squad against Australia at Ellis Park and won that match 35-17.