All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick is expecting a physical confrontation when they face a resurgent Springbok side in their top-of-the-table Rugby Championship clash in Auckland at the weekend.
The Springboks are three points behind the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship standing and will be looking for their first win against the world champions since the beat them in October 2014 at Ellis Park.
The All Blacks hammered the Springboks in both of the 2016 Rugby Championship matches; 41-13 and 57-15. But Retallick is well aware that the Boks are a different beast compared to last year's annus horribilis.
"We all know the way the South Africans play," said Retallick.
"We've seen the last couple of weeks how physical they've been, especially up front. As always, they're big boys and they like to come at you.
"Every Test is special, but from what we've seen so far in the Rugby Championship, they've had two great wins over Argentina and they'll be a little bit frustrated with the draw against Australia in Perth.
"They'll be coming here with a bit of anger, and with the skill and physicality they're playing with, I'm sure it's going to be a good spectacle."
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