The All Blacks are expecting a fired up and physical South African team when the two foes face off at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night.
The Springboks won their first two matches of the Rugby Championship against Argentina quite convincingly, but were then held to a frustrating 23-23 draw against Australia on the weekend in Perth.
Midway through the competition, it appears to be a two-horse race with the All Blacks sitting on top of the standings with 14-points, while South Africa are on 11.
Lock Brodie Retallick believes the Boks will throw everything they have got into the fixture, as they search for their first win away win against New Zealand since 2009.
"Every Test match is special, but I think from what we have seen in the Rugby Championship they had two great wins over Argentina and they will be frustrated with a draw against Australia," Retallick told reporters on Monday.
"They will be coming here with a bit of anger. Everyone is out to beat each other, so with the skill and physicality they are playing with at the moment, I'm sure it will be a good spectacle."
Midfielder Ryan Crotty shares similar thoughts to Retallick labelling that clash between the two nations as 'special'.
"You expect a massive challenge and massive physical Test match," said Crotty.
"The rivalry between the two nations builds it up more, but it is another opportunity to put on the black jersey for the guys who get it.
"It is special and it doesn't get any bigger than a Test match against South Africa at home. It is a challenge but one I'm that that will excite the lads."
As the Springboks look for their first win over the All Blacks since 2014, Crotty knows the world champions must deliver a full eighty-minute performance.
Despite winning all three Rugby Championship matches so far, the All Blacks have been criticised for clocking off during patches of games, which have allowed the opposing team to claw their way back into the match.
The biggest issue is on defence. In six games last year the All Blacks conceded 84 points; after three-games in 2017 that number sits at 85.
Crotty said the team is always looking for a way to improve.
"For us at the moment we really need to execute an eighty-minute performance."
"We have played exceptionally well in patches in Test matches this year but what we are really focussing on is Monday to Friday, nailing that and then that is what gets you your eighty minute performances.
"As a team, we are placing lots of emphasis on that - nailing our weeks and if we do that we can nail those eighty minute performances that we know we are capable of.
"We are focusing on how we prepare and that is all you can do. You are not going to outplay your preparation."
The All Blacks were dealt a blow when prop Joe Moody was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder against Argentina on the weekend.
Tasman propping duo Kane Hames and Tim Perry have since both been called into the squad - but the All Blacks depth at prop will be tested.
With Owen Franks also out for the season and Charlie Faumuina unavailable, having recently moved to France, Wyatt Crockett is the only prop in the squad who has played more than 10 Tests.
Ryan Crotty believes the 64-Test veteran can inspire his young prodigies'.
"He is a really likeable guy and he is just himself. He leads through his actions, he is highly ambitious and almost works too hard sometimes," said Crotty.
"He will go in and be himself and guys will follow him because of who he is and what he does.
"Nothing really changes for him. He will rely on that preparation to get that performance on the weekend and go about the way he does with which is diligently and a massive work effort."
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