Rugby Championship: New Zealand v South Africa match preview

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen is expecting a "tough" examination of side's unbeaten run in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Wellington.

The All Blacks currently lead the Championship after a draw and a win over Australia, plus the victory over Argentina.

However, historically the Springboks are the one side in world rugby who have been able to cause New Zealand problems.

And although the All Blacks have won eight of the past nine meetings, Hansen knows it will be another had game for his side.

"You're going to get physicality and it's going to be tough and you wouldn't want it any other way," said Hansen.

"It's not about talking it up, neither side is like that. Both teams just get on with the job and the opportunity to have a one-two clash is always exciting."

"The South Africans only lost two games last year, so if we're being honest they could have been two games we lost.”

Brilliant

Hansen has not been helped by injuries, with Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam both ruled out, so Jeremy Thrush and Steven Luatua have been handed their chance.

Aaron Cruden also comes into the side, with Beauden Barrett dropping to the bench.

South Africa have shown that they are set to go on the attack by naming 20-year-old Handre Pollard at fly-half.

"The forwards are settled but we're struggling to get continuity in the backs," said Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.

"I don't think you're going to beat the All Blacks, especially away from home, if you just do the conventional.

"Before the World Cup I have to expose him. He could be a big force. He's big and strong, a brilliant defender with a good kicking game and he's an unbelievable attacking player."

Pollard, who will win just his fourth cap, replaces Morne Steyn in the only change, while captain Jean de Villiers will celebrate his 100th Test appearance.

"He learnt the hard way, but he's learnt a valuable lesson and hopefully he can carry that with him for the rest of his career," he said of Luatua's return to fitness.

"He's certainly worked hard and now we expect him to play that way."

All Blacks and Springboks often produce brutal clashes in their constant battle for supremacy in world rugby and although New Zealand have come out on top for the past three years Hansen conceded the two Tests last year could have gone the other way.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Wyatt Crockett,  2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick,  5 Jeremy Thrush,  6 Steven Luatua, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Cory Jane.

South Africa: 15 Wille le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Damian de Allende.             

You can watch New Zealand v South Africa live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 8am on Saturday.