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Watch: Springboks World Cup opener doesn't faze All Blacks: 'You've gotta beat the best to be the best'

November 3, 2017

New Zealand will meet South Africa in their first 2019 RWC match. (Source: Other)

All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara says that his side aren't paying too much attention to their opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup against their old rivals, South Africa.

The back-to-back champions will come up against the Springboks in the opening encounter of Pool B, meeting at Kanagawa Yokohama Stadium on Saturday 21 September.

Speaking to media ahead of the All Blacks' clash with the Barbarians on Sunday, Perenara says that a duel with the Springboks is inevitable, if his side want to claim their third straight crown.

"The World Cup's a long way away for starters," he began.

"You've got to beat the best to be the best anyway, so it doesn't really matter who you play."

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