All Blacks veteran Ben Smith. Photo / Brett Phibbs
He's probably due a break but All Black vice captain Ben Smith doesn't want time off in Durban this week.
Smith has played every minute of every test this year on the back of missing just two games of Super Rugby for the Highlanders.
Smith says he's feeling good mentally and physically ahead of Sunday's final Rugby Championship clash with South Africa.
"I'm feeling good and the body is all in one piece," Smith Said. "I hope I play, but that's not up to me, that's up to the coaches."
With the schedule of the Rugby Championship of two weeks of games and then a week off to rest, Smith says that works well with most of the players.
Having wrapped up the Rugby Championship already, Smith said the challenge of playing in South Africa is what has motivated the team heading into Saturday's test.
"We know how big the challenge is to play in Argentina and then South Africa, and I think that's what excites the team."
Jerome Kaino has re-joined the squad giving the All Black selectors a full compliment of players to select from this week.
Meanwhile South Africa have called up halfback Piet van Zyl for Sunday's clash after Rudy Paige was ruled out through injury.
Paige is still suffering concussion symptoms after he took an accidental knee to the head at a ruck during the weekend's 18-10 victory over Australia .
Winger Bryan Habana (thigh) and centre Jesse Kriel (groin) will continue to receive treatment for their injuries and will be assessed later in the week while centre Damian de Allende and hooker Malcolm Marx will rejoin the squad after being released for provincial duty this past weekend.
The missing rugby jersey was found after a two-year search.