The game could be staged at a comparatively low cost and would be an ideal chance to have the All Whites playing on home soil. Games in this country are seen as crucial for the brand and profile of the team - as well as the wider game - but have been rare in recent years.
There were just two games here last year, three in 2012 and none in 2011. From 2007 to 2010, All Whites fans saw their team live on just five occasions, and from August 2002 to January 2006 the team didn't play a single home game.
It's a difficult situation for NZF. There are obvious benefits to a match with South Africa, not least the rivalry built through rugby and cricket, that would ensure media and public interest. There are also thousands of South Africans living in Auckland which would help prospects of a good gate. The 67th-ranked South Africa would also match up well against the All Whites, offering the prospect of a competitive, entertaining fixture.
There has long been talk of regular fixtures with Australia and South Africa as a way of getting more games for the All Whites. This would be the first step.
Clearly, however, the timing is awkward. The Phoenix contingent of All Whites are due to start their six-week holidays from April 17 so would struggle to arrive for the fixture match fit.
Most of the European leagues finish in mid-May, so players such as Chris Wood, Winston Reid, Tommy Smith and Marco Rojas would also be on their brief summer break and may have already booked holidays.
There has been a busy schedule across recent off-seasons, with the Confederations Cup (2009), World Cup (2010), clashes against Mexico and Australia (2011) and the Oceania Nations Cup (2012). The upcoming period is seen by some players as a rare chance to fully recharge before the next four-year cycle begins.
But perhaps the players also need to see this as one more step towards the eventual goal of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Assembling the All Whites for games is costly and difficult, so they need to take advantage of every possible opportunity.
NZF made numerous mistakes in their planning of the last campaign, but it's hoped the recent review will improve the performance and operation of the national body.
In parallel, the squad need to play their part and many have been vocal in calling for more games.
"It all comes down to how many times we can get together," said goalkeeper Glen Moss of the team's future prospects after the recent Japan match. "The key is to get games and especially quality games like this against Japan and those youngsters will only get better and better."
"We have got the players to make another World Cup," said Chris James after the Mexico match in Wellington. "It's just whether they put in place a programme that allows us to do that, as well as the right coach."
New Zealand last faced South Africa in 2009 at the Confederations Cup, when they lost 2-0 in Rustenberg. The only other encounters between the two nations were in a four-game series in New Zealand in 1947, which produced the improbable scorelines - in modern terms - of 6-5, 6-0, 8-3 and 4-1. All were won by South Africa.
