KEY POINTS:
DURBAN - Speculation and subterfuge continued from the Springboks camp today as the All Blacks refused to be swayed by the rapidly-changing opposition lineup for the Tri-Nations test.
New Zealand's stocks rose as Springboks coach Jake White confirmed loose forwards Pierre Spies and Juan Smith were ruled out with injury, 24 hours after they were named in the starting lineup.
It means a reprieve for former captain Bobby Skinstad, replacing the dangerous Spies (knee) at No 8 while reserve Danie Rossouw comes in for Smith who was always in doubt after suffering bruising above his knee against the Wallabies. Bulls flanker Pedrie Wannenburg comes onto the bench.
And there was speculation about even more changes as the effects of the torrid 22-19 win over the Wallabies in Cape Town continued to be felt.
The most significant already was the absence of captain John Smit (hamstring), who ends a run of 46 consecutive tests.
Centre Jaque Fourie was also reportedly in doubt, with Wynand Olivier running at centre for the Boks at training on Tuesday and Wednesday.
White was cryptic at the team naming press conference yesterday, saying a lot could happen before the teams run onto Absa Stadium just before 1am on Sunday (NZT).
News of the ever-changing home lineup was noted with interest by All Blacks assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, although they admitted it had little effect on the tourists.
"I don't really worry too much about that. We'll just wait and see who runs out on the track," Smith said.
"When you think they've got Skinstad, Rossouw and Wannenburg who played well in the Super 14... it'll be a disruption but they're good players, very physical."
Today's developments perhaps swung the balance back towards the All Blacks in the debate over who had the tougher buildup.
The All Blacks were clearly at a disadvantage playing away from home and flying 18 hours to get here, only arriving in Durban on Monday lunchtime (local time). They've also had three comfortable test wins against limited opposition from France and Canada.
But the physical toll of a torrid first big test of the season in Cape Town last weekend has made it interesting for the confident Springboks on the quick backup.
"It's a symptom of rugby and that was a really intense game. The collisions are huge and you've got big fast athletes colliding at quite a speed. You're going to get injuries," Smith said.
"I don't know if there's any advantage or not. The way we've tried to handle it is we've brought on a lot of players and rotated them, made sure when players run out they're as close as possible to injury-free and got a real edge about the game."
Coach Graham Henry made eight personnel changes to his starting 15 from the Canada test last Saturday, recalling his top front row and gun loose forward trio.
The All Blacks trained at a good clip today in more warm sunshine at Glenwood High School, all players appearing to get through unscathed.
The All Blacks have an edge out wide and the backs were excited about returning to a hard and fast ground and warm weather.
Second five-eighth Aaron Mauger said with all the theories about preparation, such an important test can simply come down to the first few exchanges.
"You can always put it down to something if you don't perform. It just depends how the guys front up. It's hard to put a finger on what makes things work.
"Sometimes you get a bit of momentum early in the game and everything goes well for you."
- NZPA
