Familiarity has not bred contempt and 20 years since they were welcomed back from isolation, the Springboks remain the side the All Blacks view as their fiercest rival.
The tests against Australia and Argentina can't quite be described as a 'Phoney War', but the All Blacks are unequivocal that the arrival of South Africa creates an altogether different set of emotions within their camp.
No other side commands the respect of the All Blacks the way the Springboks do. There is a long history between these two, a history that is riddled with politics, horrific home-town referees, heroes, villains, thugs, triumphs and disasters. It is a history that even the youngest members of the All Black side feel part of, having been through what is an effective Kiwi rite of passage - being hauled out of bed by dad in the middle of the night to endure the agony and ecstasy of an All Black test in South Africa.
"It's my first run against the Boks and I am pretty excited," said first-five Aaron Cruden. "I remember growing up as a kid and especially when the games were in South Africa, waking up in the early morning, with a cup of Milo and my old man and brothers watching the footy.
"I knew there and then I wanted to be part of something like that and I get my opportunity to be part of that. We never know what to expect from the Africans and they are probably up against a wall a little bit. And a desperate Springboks are a dangerous Springboks so that is the attitude we have."
