Green strip the colour of envy

South Africa is battling envy and admiration of the All Blacks as the Springboks try to upset their old rivals and restore some credibility in the Republic.

The immediate task of finding an elusive Tri-Nations win in Pretoria on Sunday is becoming blurred for the Springboks as critics compare their archaic administration and style to the All Blacks prototype.

The green on their jerseys is becoming a symbol for the jealousy the nation feels at the way New Zealand has forged new strategies to cope with the demands of professional rugby.

While the central control from the New Zealand Rugby Union has its flaws, it has allowed a framework for the All Blacks and Super 14 franchises to collaborate in the push towards the next World Cup. There are still a number of speed humps but it is happening.

In South Africa, the provinces carry enough power to impact on the Springboks. Much like the English clubs, the South African provinces want as much as they can get out of their players.

Try telling the All Blacks who will be counting their wounds after Sunday, but the evidence, says leading sports scientist Professor Tim Noakes, was the Springboks were fatigued.

They were at breaking point and their results reflected that. The Springboks would continue to be doomed unless the players were placed on decent rest and recovery schedules.

Sound familiar? Add on the quota troubles, the squabbles between national coach Jake White and SARU administrators and it is easy to see why South Africa looks enviously at the systems around the All Blacks.

There is also massive admiration for the expressive mix of athleticism and power in the All Blacks, their search for space and initiative in contrast to the Springboks' outmoded one-dimensional reliance on brute force.

The All Blacks try to skirt obstacles, the Springbok mentality is to search for those barriers and try to batter through them. In the last few years their style has stagnated, while sides like the All Blacks have pushed through into new frontiers.

The All Blacks want to keep the ball moving either before or during contact to create impetus and avoid the mind-numbing breakdown areas while the Boks have not recently mixed macho with flair. They have reverted to type, the bludgeoning approach.

However, midfield playmaker Jean de Villiers is on target to return this week instead of Wynand Olivier, after proving his recovery from a rib injury with several club matches.

De Villiers is a rarity in South Africa, he brings flair and variety to the Springboks attack, his initial intent is to create and his partnership with Butch James will give the Boks a greater cutting edge.

"Jean was the guy in the saddle and he will return to the team," coach White said.

"We're not going to be too fancy, rather going for stability for the home leg of the series."