The Springboks' 'lock crisis' which has forced loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit to play in the second row against the All Blacks in Johannesburg has been downplayed by the visitors today.
Veteran Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out with a knee problem, along with a longer-term absentee Lood de Jager, plus Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn.
Du Toit will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row which may affect the Boks' set piece but All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen has little doubt the world champions will turn up at Ellis Park with a confident mindset.
"The depth and experience and talent of South African rugby ... whoever they put out there, they are in a Test jersey and will do their country proud, we know that," Hansen said.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has indulged in some minor mind games already this week when hinting that Etzebeth, a 32-year-old with more than 100 Test caps, could be available.
That has not transpired. It may give the All Blacks a minor advantage given skipper Scott Barrett will return this week to potentially partner the in-form Tupou Vaa'i on Sunday morning NZT, but Hansen was giving nothing away.
"They're the rugby world champions and they're playing like it," he said. "They're confident in their game and their brand of forward power, kicking pressure, and also their ability to use the ball.
"We've had a look around where the game is and their style. Fundamentally, their coaches are building their game plan and we understand where they want to be. What you have to understand is the depth and excitement of South African rugby. It's unbelievable.
"It's a hell of an opportunity and challenge for us on Saturday. We know how good they are."
Hansen added: "They have the ability to go through you, around you, over you, so we have to be right on with our game, we'll have to be at our best."
Vaa'i told members of the New Zealand media this week that he was confident in his own game after performing well in the All Blacks' big victory over the Pumas at Eden Park recently. He said conversations with forwards coach Jason Ryan and mental skills coach Ceri Evans had helped.
"I guess I had some pretty big shoes to fill, and I felt like I have done that,'' Vaa'i said.
"I have had a lot of help with Jase and Ceri around my mental skills and obviously my locking partners Sam Darry and Josh Lord helped me out, which was awesome.''
Hansen said the Ellis Park factor — the home of Boks’ rugby at about 1700m above sea level — had been spoken about by the senior players this week. This will be Hansen's first experience of a Test against South Africa after joining forces with head coach Scott Robertson this year.
"Your leaders are storytellers," Hansen said. "They talk about their experiences and they've shared those this week with us. It's been really exciting to hear the stories around what it's like to be out there at Ellis Park ... the leaders are key in terms of the mindset and they'll set that for the team.
"I know the rivalry. I've watched it from afar and I've respected it."
Hansen said Leon MacDonald's shock departure last week had been discussed and put behind the team.
"We've sat down as a group and said we must look forward and that's what we've done.
"Essentially it's their team …" he said of the leaders' responsibility in leading the game plan. "[We] build on our athletes' ability to find space through the carry or using possession or the kick game. Fundamentally for us, nothing has changed there."
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