Boks test proof that opposites do attract

There was a moment in this week’s media call with Ian Foster when we scribblers held our collective breath. The All Blacks coach was asked if he saw any parallels between tonight’s 100th test match against the Springboks and the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinal against England.

And we all know how that one ended for the All Blacks.

The feeling was that Foster would bat this one away, as he’s wont to do with questions that probe a little close to the bone. Eddie Jones’ England side, of course, ambushed the All Blacks that evening in Yokohama, smashing them up front, and denying them that all-important front-foot ball en route to a famous 19-7 victory.

That, of course, had been an England side that had not played the All Blacks for some time – only once in the previous five seasons – and had set themselves for the matchup. Everything they did in that tournament had been about defeating the New Zealanders, to the point that once that had been achieved they were a shadow of themselves in a disappointing final.

South Africa, who defeated England for their third global triumph, also haven’t played the All Blacks in a comparative age (just a few days past two years since their group matchup in Japan, won 23-13 by Steve Hansen’s side) and have been heavily focused on this matchup ever since they clinched that 2-1 series victory over the British and Irish Lions earlier this year.

The Boks were good enough to brush past the underdone Pumas on home turf after the Lions series, but appeared lethargic, distracted and short of motivation for those back-toback defeats against the Wallabies over the last fortnight.

They’ve copped their share of flak for it, too.

The feeling is pretty much unanimous, both inside the All Blacks camp and out, that the South Africans will turn up at Townsville tonight with their proverbial eye on the prize in this milestone test – the 100th meeting between the great rugby rivals, also marking 100 years since their first clash in Dunedin back in 1921.

Which is where those England comparisons come into play. The Boks at their best bring a very similar formula, squeezing up front, playing bully ball around the fringes, and using their kicking game and defensive line-speed to apply pressure.

To his credit, Foster saw the parallels, and was somewhat forewarned as a result. ‘‘England certainly had targeted us for a long time and prepared for that, and we’ve got no doubt South Africa have had a plan for a long time for this game too,’’ he said.

‘‘What we have learned is not to be surprised by the intensity of an opponents’ buildup, and not get lulled into a sense of their previous few weeks being an indicator of what’s going to happen on Saturday. That’s the biggest lesson out of England.’’

It was heartening to hear Foster embrace the occasion, and stakes, so openly. He talked about it having a ‘‘legacy moment’’ feel to it and the All Blacks’ keenness to ‘‘measure ourselves’’ against a side whose goal is to be ‘‘ruthless and clinical’’.

The Boks, added Foster, play a ‘‘power and pressure’’ game when at their best, and he had no doubt that tonight would play out as a monumental clash of styles. The All Blacks love tempo, ball in hand and frantic movement; the South Africans will want to slow it down, be deliberate and attack off the boot and through their physicality.

Foster has picked a side to combat what is coming, and it is a group of men in form and with the pedigree to take this challenge in their stride. He will urge them to be confident that their skill, their speed and their own brand of power is more than enough to mark the occasion in style.

It is, he feels, a watershed moment for his side.

‘‘It’s certainly how we’ve built it up. South Africa have earned the titles they’ve got, and they’ve done that by being really efficient and nailing the game they want to play. For us it is a chance to measure ourselves against a team that has earned their reputation by delivering weekin, week-out in some big games.’’