All rugby eyes are fixed on Orlando today where the Springboks and All Blacks face each other in the third test of their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.
The clash at FNB Stadium – South Africa's iconic "Calabash" – kicks off at 17:00 and there is far more than just a series victory at stake.
The Springboks have poor memories of their previous matches against the All Blacks at this stadium. They have lost on both previous occasions here to New Zealand and will attempt today to finally break that unfortunate record.
The series is currently locked at one victory each, which means today's match will have enormous bearing on who travels to the final test in Baltimore next week with the advantage.
One of the interesting elements leading into the match is the difference in approach between the two teams.
The All Blacks have made several changes, with new faces getting an opportunity particularly in the front five. The Springboks, by contrast, have largely stuck with the same combinations, with only a few changes forced by injury.
That continuity could be an important advantage for South Africa.
The Boks showed in the first two matches that they can come out of the blocks quickly and will likely try again to put early pressure on the All Blacks and build a lead.
The bigger question, however, is whether they can maintain that intensity for the full eighty minutes.
In both previous tests New Zealand finished stronger in the second half, while the Springboks' play lost some of its momentum. This is an aspect the Boks will definitely want to correct today.
The weather could also play a major role.
Storms and rain are forecast for parts of Gauteng and the conditions around kick-off could influence both teams' tactics, particularly if the field is wet and the ball slippery.
For the Springboks, however, there is also the advantage of a massive home crowd and the special atmosphere that FNB Stadium can deliver.
This is their last match on South African soil this year and the Boks will be desperate to finish it with a victory.
Now they just have to break the "Calabash curse" against the All Blacks.
All eyes will be on Orlando this afternoon at 17:00.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
