Stick says 104th Springbok-All Black Test 'will decide' Rugby Championship

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the winner of Saturday's crunch Rugby Championship Test between South Africa and New Zealand will most probably win the tournament.

The significance of momentum being gathered from the Rugby Championship has been widely spoken of, but in a World Cup year, it's the William Webb-Ellis trophy that really matters.

Saturday's clash, the first at the Mount Smart Stadium with Eden Park requisitioned for World Cup duty, is the first between the teams in New Zealand in four years and the first in Auckland in a half-dozen years.

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The teams go into the game on the back of impressive wins against Argentina and Australia, and with the points differential being narrow, Stick may be right in saying the winner will have one hand on the regional trophy.

"The game on Saturday is very important because we take every Test match seriously," Stick said.

"The All Black Test is a big game, especially away from home and it's difficult to top that occasion.

"We're trying to develop our systems towards the World Cup, but an All Black Test remains a big deal, so it remains very important.

"It'll help with World Cup momentum, and I think this game will decide who will win the Rugby Championship.

"We've prepared as best as we can in all ways possible because it's a big game."

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New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1