Preview: South Africa v New Zealand

The Springboks must overcome the incredible weight of expectation on their shoulders when they face the All Blacks on Saturday.

Pressure. Massive pressure. The Springboks must overcome the incredible weight of expectation on their shoulders when they face the All Blacks in Saturday's Tri-Nations clash in Port Elizabeth.

The home side simply cannot afford to slip to yet another loss. Winless after three Tests in 2011, South Africa desperately need to turn their boat around.

Losing is fast becoming a habit for Peter de Villiers' team and while there were certainly glimpses of light in last week's loss to the Wallabies, that defeat in Durban left the Boks with just four victories in their last 13 Tests.

South Africa's first-choice team looked pretty good for at least one half against Australia but their inability to convert their chances into points – which has been an issue for some time now – must be the cause of enormous concern.

Despite the positive noises coming out the hosts' camp and certain sectors of the South African press after last week's much-improved performance, everyone involved is in agreement that heading to the World Cup off the back of another failure will come as a heavy blow to defending world champions' confidence.

If ever there was a chance to beat the rampant All Blacks, this is surely it. The tourists arrived in the Republic minus nine key players and will field an all-new back line configuration and a reshuffled pack.

While the Boks will be expected to get a result – by any means necessary – some of the men in black will be under a different kind of pressure as they try to force their way into coach Graham Henry's final World Cup 30.

Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Richard Kahui have all been given starting berths and one last chance to stake a claim. But their task will not be easy – it's one thing to look good as an addition to a settled side, it's an entirely different kettle of fish when combinations are being tested at, well, Test level. The athleticism offered by Kahui and Sonny Bill Williams' midfield pairing is an exciting prospect, but you don't build world-beating partnerships overnight.

Nevertheless, New Zealand's touring group is testament to their incredible depth since probably 12 or 13 of Saturday's matchday 22 have legitimate reasons to believe they could be in the first-choice starting XV at the World Cup.

Young Colin Slade will also be under the microscope at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Although is almost certain of being named as Dan Carter's back-up, this weekend will be an acid test of whether the coaches' faith is justified.

New Zealand's impressive pool of resources is no doubt also the reason why there has been so little noise made over the Kiwis' decision to rest nine senior members of their team. De Villiers was calling 'double standards' over the lack of an outcry from the South African press and to be fair he has a point when you consider the wailing that accompanied the Boks overseas. But the Moustached-One didn't complain for too long… just how bad would it look if SA didn't win?

Speaking of first-choice players, the hottest debate in South Africa at the moment – or actually for the last two or three years – revolves around who should wear the number two jersey.

This scribe is huge fan of John Smit, and has been for long time, but the impact that Bismarck du Plessis had when he took the field in Durban was enough to take your breath away.

Few would dispute that he is the best hooker in the world right now. Playing Smit at prop just doesn't seem to be working, but it's very difficult to leave the game's most experienced Test skipper on the sidelines. It's a recipe for a headache and PdV was probably thankful the Bok captain's bout of 'flu earlier this week made the decision for him.

It's all about pressure. Collective pressure for the hosts and individual pressure for the visitors. It makes for an intriguing scenario and the Test rugby-starved folk of the Eastern Cape should be treated to a cracker.

Players to watch:

For South Africa: Springbok fly-half Morné Steyn could consider himself a little lucky to be wearing number ten instead of number 22 this weekend. Butch James is many pundits' pick to lead the Bok attack at the World Cup, just like he did so successfully four years ago. Critics say Steyn is no good behind a retreating pack, but that shouldn't be a problem in PE. This is his last chance to reassure the selectors that he is the man for the job.

For New Zealand: After setting the early rounds of Super Rugby alight, injury looked to have ended Izzy Dagg's hopes of making it to the World Cup. But he has recovered just in time and looks to already be up to speed after scoring a try and creating another for Hawke's Bay in his comeback game. Competition is white-hot amongst the All Blacks outside backs so Dagg will have to produce something pretty special – but 'special' is what the 23-year-old does best!

Head-to-head: As the old saying goes, it all starts up front, meaning the battle of the props will be vital. They won't be scrumming directly against each other but opposing looseheads Gurthrö Steenkamp and Tony Woodcock find themselves in similar situations. Both have recently returned from long injury lay-offs and will be desperate to impress considering the form of the competition (Tendai Mtawarira and Wyatt Crockett) for the respective number one jerseys. John Afoa is one of those fringe players trying to force his way into contention for World Cup selection and his tussle up front with Steenkamp will be fierce. The same goes for Afoa's clash with Jannie du Plessis.

Tri-Nations betting odds: South Africa 6/5; Draw 18/1; New Zealand 4/6

Previous results:
2011: New Zealand won 40-7 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 29-22 at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
2010: New Zealand won 31-17 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 32-12 at Eden Park, Auckland
2009: South Africa won 32-29 at Rugby Park, Hamilton
2009: South Africa won 31-19 at Absa Stadium, Durban
2009: South Africa won 28-19 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2008: New Zealand won 19-0 at Newlands
2008: South Africa won 30-28 at Carisbrook, Dunedin
2008: New Zealand won 19-8 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 33-6 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2007: New Zealand won 26-21 at Absa Stadium, Durban
2006: South Africa won 21-20 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
2006: New Zealand won 45-26 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Prediction: It's incredibly hard to bet against the All Blacks these days, but considering the potential showed by South Africa last week and the make-shift nature of New Zealand's team, we reckon the hosts will sneak it.