The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday when hosts Japan tackle Russia at 12.45pm.
But we all know the real action only starts on Saturday when South Africa tackle world champions New Zealand at the Yokohoma International Stadium at 11.45am.
It is the match of the round-robin stage that pits two of the sport’s greatest rivals against each other.
With nothing separating the two teams in their last three games, with the Springboks winning one, the All Blacks one and their only encounter this year ending in a draw, the match is expected to be a classic.
Fans who expect an open match might be left disappointed, with a 60 percent chance of rain being predicted at the venue on Saturday.
CHAMPION LEADER: All Black Kieran Read. Photo: Gavin Smith/BackpagePix.
The two teams’ coaches have also been vocal on the importance referee Jerome Garces in the encounter, with SA coach Rassie Erasmus
saying officials favour the All Blacks and his New Zealand counterpart Steve Hansen hitting back.
With the match expected to go down to the wire, both teams have packed their bench in an effort to pull through in the last 20 minutes.
But the time for talking is now over and it’s time to see who packs the bigger punch.
Go Bokke!
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Jesse Kriel.
New Zealand:
15 Beauden Barrett 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Ben Smith.
SA’s record v NZ at World Cups:
Played: 4
Won: 2
Lost: 2
Points for 64
Points against 79