All Blacks still on high alert

 

Both the Springboks and the travelling New Zealanders have plenty to play for besides the title which has been decided.

 

For Heyneke Meyer and his men, the match presents an opportunity to beat the world champions for the first time since the coach took charge of the team.

 

Steve Hansen’s men on the other hand, they have an unbeaten record that stretches back to the end of 2012 to keep intact, added to that is the pride that comes with the biggest rivalry in world rugby.

 

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock made mention of the importance of the game when he arrived in Johannesburg with his team on Monday.

 

“If the guys aren't motivated for this, they shouldn't be here,” the lock  told the media in Johannesburg.

 

“The guys are ready to go and they’re excited.”

 

The fact that the Boks are in a position where there is nothing to lose and only glory to gain has made Whitelock more wary of their attacking threat.

 

“It makes them more dangerous,” said the Crusaders man.

 

“They love scoring tries, we’ve seen that this year.

 

"They’ve expanded their game, they’ve got speed and they play with width. Stopping them will be the first thing for us.”

 

Whitelock said the Boks are far from being the one-dimensional team some believe them to be.

 

“They put us under real pressure in Wellington [three weeks ago]. They’re a very good defensive unit and that made that game very close.

 

“Whatever is happened is in the past. We’re going to have to show up and match them in what will be another big physical battle.”

 

Whitelock will be going head to head with the Boks line-out maestro Victor Matfield in what is sure to be a hotly contested facet of play.

 

“I was playing off the bench when Victor was starting [in 2010 and 2011], but we’ve clashed before," Whitelock added.

 

"You can’t get caught up in personal battles though. If you do, there’s a good chance your game will come unstuck. It’s all about focusing on the unit,” Whitelock said.

 

However the second row forward was quick to admit he’d learnt a fair bit about line-out play from the Bok veteran.

 

“You learn from players in all high-level games, be they from South Africa or New Zealand. You draw as much as you can from those guys… and Victor is no different.”