Despite their recent woes, the All Blacks are expecting the Springboks to be "ruthless and clinical" when the two sides lock horns on Saturday night in Townsville, coach Ian Foster says.
For the 100th time in test rugby history, New Zealand and South Africa will face off - with Saturday's encounter sure to prove decisive in determining where the Rugby Championship trophy will head.
The All Blacks need a solitary point to claim the trophy, thanks to a so far flawless record of four wins from four tests.
South Africa on the other hand are looking to arrest a slide in recent form. Despite winning their two opening tests at home to Argentina, back-to-back losses to Australia have left South African title hopes hanging by a thread.
Jacques Nienebar's side need to beat the All Blacks twice, and hope that Australia lose twice to Argentina if they're to have any hope of winning the Rugby Championship in 2021.
But despite their recent struggles - that also saw them lose a series to the British & Irish Lions in 2021 - All Blacks coach Ian Foster insists that the Springboks will raise their game to New Zealand's level when they meet on Saturday.
And what's more, Foster doesn't expect the Springboks to divert from their traditional style of play - despite recent criticisms.
"I think their goal will be to be ruthless and clinical," Foster says.
"They're at their best when they play a pressure game against you, when they play a power game against you. That's not to say they can't do other things, but I think that's when they're at their best.
"We're preparing for a team that's been targeting this game, and will come out with that focus. We've got to make sure in those two aspects that we win that battle.
"[It's] a great challenge for us."
Saturday's test will also reignite a rivalry that's been dormant since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Their last encounter, a 23-13 pool stage New Zealand victory in Yokohama, was played two years and two days ago as of Friday, with both sides undergoing vast changes since then.
In that time, the All Blacks have appointed a new coach, as well as having four different captains since that victory.
South Africa meanwhile are also under the tutelage of a new coach, as well as finding themselves as the current world champions after their 2019 victory.
And Foster is one of many Kiwis anticipating seeing the All Blacks and South Africa share the field once again.
But despite the challenge, the All Blacks' coach knows that no stone has been left unturned in the build-up.
"It feels to us, with the amount of support we're getting, that the whole of the country is really excited about playing South Africa again.
"That's a mark of respect for them. And we're no different. We've had an eye on this, but known that we have to have done the job before to one, win this championship, and two give us the right amount of confidence going into a big test against South Africa - and we've done that.
"We're well positioned, but we're now going to measure ourselves against a team that's going to play a different game of rugby, and we're excited by that.
"The fact it's got a '100th' tag on it is going to make it even more special."
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