Tension mounting as Springboks, All Blacks ready for opening test of tour series

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20 : Marketed as 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry', the four-match series between South Africa and New Zealand has been preceded by spiky exchanges over the teams' contrasting playing styles, stoking tensions before Saturday’s first test in Johannesburg.

The incident-filled rivalry stretches back more than a century, and the first tour series between the countries in 30 years has quickly acquired a combative edge ahead of the clash at Ellis Park.

New Zealand’s opening three matches against provincial opposition have all featured the All Blacks’ high-tempo running game, an approach that has delighted purists and drawn a sharp contrast with South Africa’s emphasis on forward power, set pieces and tactical kicking.

But the Springboks have bristled at suggestions they will seek to disrupt New Zealand’s rhythm by slowing the game through frequent stoppages.

"There’s certainly been a narrative out there, which is very technical around the speed of the game and the slowing down of the game," South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said at the start of the week.

"You can see on their social media, they are advocating this high-intensity, multi-phase game, saying: 'nobody can keep up with us'. But there are always three truths – New Zealand’s truth, the world’s truth and our truth,” he added.

New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has raised concerns from the start of the tour about slow play from South African teams.

"We’ve played club (provincial franchise) sides where it's been very slow. One of the lineouts against the Sharks took 50 seconds to set," he said.

The not-so-subtle use of press conferences to air those concerns has also increased the pressure on English referee Matthew Carley, who will take charge of the opening test with