'They're the full package' - Cane relishing physical Springbok serving ahead of Mbombela Test

All Blacks captain Sam Cane is relishing the next instalment of the age-old rivalry with the Springboks in Mbombela, more so because they've missed South Africans in Super Rugby and haven't toured the country since 2018.

The two teams kick-start the Rugby Championship on Saturday (17:05 kick-off) on the back of what many called a calamitous NZ defeat to Ireland and lukewarm form from the Springboks against Wales.

Nonetheless, the All Blacks loose forward, Cane, who will be in the engine room come the weekend, expected nothing less than the full serving - a buffet almost - of physicality from Jacques Nienaber's men, with a side order of skilful backs.

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"Against Wales, the Springboks made a few changes between Test matches and they've got an incredible amount of depth in their squad," Cane said.

"We know what we're going to get when we play the Springboks: a confrontational, physical battle.

"We're looking at the footage; big men coming around the corner, running hard and cleaning hard. And then some of the skill and speed in the midfield and outside backs is right up there with the best in the world.

"They're the full package.

"Test matches over here are some of the toughest I've been involved in. I love playing in South Africa.

"Any time we play each other, it's super tough and it's most enjoyable when you walk off the field knowing that you've given everything. I know it will be like that on Saturday."

Much like Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, Cane admitted that Super Rugby had a wholly different complexion since SA's exit and move to the northern hemisphere.

"Super Rugby is certainly different these days to pre-Covid and that's just the reality of it,