All Black coach Wayne Smith earlier this week said a wounded Springbok is a very dangerous animal. On Saturday the much-maligned Springboks have the chance to prove just that when they tackle New Zealand in the opening Tri-Nations game in Cape Town.

After the well-documented turmoil in the Springbok camp and the unconvincing displays in their warm-up games, one wouldn't find a lot of people who would be prepared to put their money on a Springbok win at Newlands. The All Blacks had a much smoother build-up to the Tri-Nations and their combinations seem to be a lot more settled than those of the South Africans, who show 10 changes from their last Test against Italy.

It is of some concern to South African supporters that coach Harry Viljoen is seemingly still struggling to find his best combinations. An interesting fact is that the Bok midfield has not remained unchanged for a single Test this season. And Mark Andrews and Victor Matfield will form the Boks fourth lock partnership in as many Tests.

To predict a winner is to look for trouble. Games between these teams have always been full of passion and while the All Blacks should start as favourites, Springbok captain Bob Skinstad this week said South Africans seem to get bigger when they play against the All Blacks.

The Kiwis have dominated Tests since South Africa's return to the international fray in 1992, but the Springboks beat them in a thriller at Ellis Park last year and the players will also draw confidence from the fact that their Super 12 teams had the better of their Kiwi counterparts this year.

Test rugby is a completely different story though and the Boks will have to lift their game considerably if they want to unite the country behind them. The All Blacks at times looked awesome in their convincing win over France and especially their backs showed they are world-beaters.

However, a slippery and wet Newlands pitch will blunt their attacking sting and the forward battle will hold the key to a win.

Both packs have been unconvincing thus far. The Springboks battled in the first phases against France and couldn't dominate a second-rated Italy up-front. The lineout play was shaky; the scrum suffered against France and the fielding of kick-offs was poor.

The return of Cobus Visagie at tighthead is sure to shore up the scrummaging, while Robbie Kempson at loosehead should also make a difference. The fiery Lukas van Biljon, in his first start at hooker, is also a good scrummager. Young Victor Matfield has impressed Viljoen with his lineout prowess and a lot is expected from him.

The All Black pack has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, especially after they took a pounding from a reinforced French pack in the second half of their encounter. Viljoen said they believe they can win this Test if their pack gets the upper hand in the tight phases, so the All Blacks should prepare for an all-out war for domination.

The battle will be won in the trenches. However, All Black lock Norm Maxwell said they are prepared for just that. "The Springboks love a confrontational type of game. They are very physical and we always prepare us accordingly. It will be pretty much like a war."

In the expected wet and windy conditions defence will also play a very important role. And here rookie Bok centre Marius Joubert will have an important role to play. He is renowned as a game-breaker, but in his debut his biggest task probably would be to tackle, tackle and tackle.

He can expect an acid test against hard-running All Black centres Tana Umaga and Pita Alatini, while a target runner like Ron Cribb will also give him the treatment. If Joubert, who could be a potent attacking weapon if the All Blacks are going to give him any room, passes his Test and the forwards do their job, a Springbok win is not as farfetched as those prophets of doom would like us to believe.

And they will be the first to say: "See, I told you ..."

Teams for Newlands:

Springboks: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, Robbie Fleck, Dean Hall, Butch James, Joost van der Westhuizen, Bob Skinstad (capt), Andre Venter, Andre Vos, Mark Andrews, Victor Matfield, Cobus Visagie, Lukas van Biljon, Robbie Kempson. Substitutes: Ollie le Roux, John Smit, Johan Ackermann, Johann van Niekerk, Neil de Kock, Deon Kayser, Conrad Jantjes.

All Blacks: Jeff Wilson, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Tony Brown, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Taine Randell, Reuben Thorne, Troy Flavell, Norm Maxwell, Greg Sommerville, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Substitutes: Mark Hammett, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher, Andrew Merthens, Leon MacDonald.

Referee: Scott Young (Australia).

Kick-off: 17:05.