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Dagg says Bok Test 'won't be easy'

Christchurch - Israel Dagg says South Africa's desperation to prove a point will make them competitive when the two sides meet on Saturday.

The Springboks are with their backs against the wall after losing their last two Tests to Argentina and Australia respectively. This, together with New Zealand's unstoppable form, has led many to believe the Boks are in for a hiding to nothing when they face the All Blacks in Christchurch.

Dagg, however, believes the South Africans will be eager to prove a point which will take them to a new level.

"No game is easy," Dagg told the New Zealand Herald.

"Obviously the scoreline blew out in the weekend but it doesn't show how tough that game was. We were under the pump for the first 40 minutes. Argentina had us under a lot of pressure in that first half. Just before half-time their prop nearly scored a try and that would have put us under even more pressure.

"No matter the scoreline, we're always sore. If you ever come to a review, which you probably won't, they're pretty honest. They'll tell us what we need to work on and they won't say anything about what we've done well. And that's good ... we want to be told how to get better."

Assistant coach Ian Foster called the clash a "massive Test".

 "The players know inherently that this is a massive test match and one we're looking forward to greatly because every year All Blacks v Springboks is just about at the top of the list of the games we look forward to.

"I'm sure they'll be hurting after a couple of losses and I'm sure that's all they need [as motivation]. I'm sure if we were in that same situation we'd be hurting and I know how we'd try to respond. That's why we're under no illusions about the scope of this week.

"We know how tough these games are and we know the ability [they have]. They're certainly playing with a lot of intention, the Springboks. They are moving the ball and we've seen them, if you give them any space they can be very dangerous. We're expecting another one of our traditional battles."

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