All Blacks captain Kieran Read has gently rejected the idea the Springboks are still his side's biggest rivals ahead of tomorrow night's Test in Wellington.
Read was asked by media at today's captain's run if he still saw South Africa as the "number one foe" that can give the All Blacks trouble.
But the skipper couldn't quite agree.
"Oh, look, I don't know. It is an old foe of ours and each team around the world has its special kind of meanings for us as All Blacks to play against," Read said.
"The South Africans are special in their own way. It's hard to pinpoint.
"We need to turn up and perform every test we play, so it's another one of those."
Siya Kolisi backed up his coach’s comment that he’d be happy with a “close loss”.
The Springboks enter tomorrow night's contest with back-to-back away losses in the Rugby Championship to Argentina and Australia but a further look back in history paints an even bleaker picture for the visitors.
The Springboks have not beaten the All Blacks since 2014 and the last time they beat them on NZ soil is a further five years back in 2009 in Hamilton.
There's also the fact South Africa fell to an all-time low in the world rankings last month, dropping to seventh, behind sixth-ranked Scotland.
But Read said there is another drive pushing his side tomorrow night - the chance to lock up the Rugby Championship.
"It's there and it is a focus of ours, to win this championship, and we'd love to do it in the four games.
"But we can't get ahead of ourselves, we know the challenge that presents itself, but we've got that opportunity and hopefully we'll perform out there tomorrow night."
SHARE ME