South Africa has eliminated the chance slightly-built winger Breyton Paulse will be squashed into the turf by switching away from Jonah Lomu's side of the field for Saturday's Tri Nations rugby match.

Paulse, at 76kg, usually plays on the same side as Lomu but he would have been giving away more than 40kg to 118kg winger. The more imposing Thinus Delport (98 kg) will mark Lomu. who has yet to score in seven outings against the Springboks.

"Jonah Lomu is an unusual talent," Springbok coach Nick Mallett said. "You have to handle him differently from the way you would normal wingers - he occupies two or three defenders."

Historically, there has been little to choose between New Zealand and South Africa on the rugby field since the two teams first met in 1921. Of the 54 internationals the All Blacks have won 26 and the Springboks 25. Three matches have been drawn.

But when the pair meet in Christchurch on Saturday, the gap that has been opening between them since South Africa's readmission into the world game in 1992 threatens to widen into a chasm that may ultimately swallow Mallett.

Since 1992 the All Blacks have beaten the Springboks in 11 out of 17 tests, inflicting a record 28-0 defeat on South Africa in Dunedin a year ago. The Springboks have scraped together five victories and a draw.

The omens for the start of a new millennium remain little changed for South Africa. They have lost their last two matches - against England and Australia - while Mallett is trying to reshape the way the Springboks play the game.

"We don't have a 50-50 chance in either of our away Tri Nations Tests against New Zealand and Australia," Mallett said. "But there's been enough improvement to give us hope. The difference is that the other two have been working for two years on how they're playing . . . we're just at the start."

All Blacks coach Wayne Smith has made three changes despite last Saturday's thrilling 39-35 victory over the Wallabies in this season's opening Tri Nations match.

Centre Mark Robinson, flanker Josh Kronfeld and Troy Flavell at lock have all been drafted in at the expense of Alama Ieremia, Scott Robertson and Norm Maxwell.

The Springboks also make three changes preferring Braam van Straaten at flyhalf for Louis Koen and bringing in De Wet Barry in the centre and Corne Krige as flanker for the injured Japie Mulder and Krynauw Otto.

The bookmakers give the All Blacks the game by 15 points and, if realised, that margin of defeat will increase the pressure on Mallett despite the fact that as coach his team has won three of of five meetings with the All Blacks.
Smith is taking nothing for granted.

"Everyone is talking us up but I would think we are in for a more physical confrontation than against the Wallabies. They have been setting up their in training camp, working their guts out, and we are certain they are going to put us under pressure physically."

South Africa complete their Australasian tour with a Tri-Nations test against the Wallabies in Sydney on July 29.

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