Several Springbok greats have expressed severe doubts over the ability of the Springboks to emerge triumphant over the All Blacks in the Tri-Nations opener at Newlands on Saturday.

According to a report in the Cape Times, Andre Joubert, Os du Randt and Kobus Wiese all expressed their doubts over the current Bok side.

Joubert, the resilient fullback who battled through the 1995 World Cup final with a broken hand, was particularly harsh.

"At this stage, with all the disruptions in the team and the fact that they're still trying out combinations, I don't think we are going to beat the All Blacks.

"I feel (Viljoen) has not got what it takes at that level. I know he's now coaching the forwards, but he never was a forward and that's a bit of a worry. By now we should have had our combinations going. You can't chop and change the team and then take on the All Blacks," he told the Cape Town daily.

Lock Kobus Wiese expressed his doubts regarding the current forward pack.

"For the first time we don't have a tight five who can dominate and won't be messed around," said Wiese.

"I'm not talking about guys who are fighting - I'm talking about guys who can carry the ball and drive the team forward on the front foot with authority.

"(Harry Viljoen) wants guys who can run all over the field, but you need the ball first before you can do that. We're going into this Test as complete underdogs, which might count in our favour, but internal wranglings, coaches resigning and the fact that half the side doesn't support Bob Skinstad as captain are a recipe for disaster.

"We're in a bad situation and I hope we can pull it together, but there are big cracks and, if the dam wall bursts, it will be humiliating."

Du Randt was a little more positive, but cited the absence of flanker Rassie Erasmus as a key blow to the Springboks chances.

"I've always said a Bok side under huge pressure will acquit itself well, but after our first-half problems against Italy and performances against France, which were not convincing, I hope they can stand together to show South Africa we can be proud of them. However, my gut feeling is we won't win because of a hopeless game plan, senseless selections and the uncertainty created by Rassie (Erasmus) not being there."

Despite all the criticism, the Boks will have the advantage of playing in front of a packed Newlands stadium. The poor performances of late will be quickly forgotten by the rather fickle South African public in the wake of a Springbok victory on Saturday.