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Durban - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee spoke this week about the importance of the Springboks measuring themselves against the best in the world.
He will get to do that on Saturday evening when the Boks host the mighty All Blacks in Durban.
There are few giving the Boks a chance for this one as the All Blacks look for a record-levelling 17 straight Test victories.
But, regardless of the result, this match will give the Boks another opportunity to show that they are on the right track under Coetzee and improving.
The Boks have suggested that they will keep the ball close, attack the gain line and look to kick their way into a lead against the world champions.
The All Blacks expect that, but they are such a dangerous side with ball in hand that the Boks will have to be at their absolute best defensively to stand any chance.
In fact, the Boks will have to be at their best in all departments if they are to pull off an upset.
All Black coach Steve Hansen paid the Boks a massive compliment this week, saying the All Blacks were aware that they could be beaten this weekend.
Coetzee, meanwhile, knows that it will take something special.
"We’re playing against the world’s best team, without a doubt," the Bok coach said.
"They’ve had the most continuity in coaching staff and players. They have great systems.
"But our motivation comes from within and not externally, where people write us off ... that’s not how a Springbok operates."
Coetzee says the Boks must dominate set piece, win the battle of the gain line and must put in a complete performance for 80 minutes.
The Bok coach said that the All Blacks would punish any mistakes they made.
The Boks, Coetzee added, would be competitive.
"We understand the tradition of the rivalry between the All Black and South Africa," he said.
"If you understand the respect that the All Blacks have for the Springboks and vice versa then you’d understand that we will be up for this game.
"It’s great to be able to compete against the world’s best team."
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:05.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Pat Lambie, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Jaco Kriel, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Willie le Roux
New Zealand
15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 George Moala
