Under-fire All Blacks Foster and Cane: What backers, critics say

New Zealand coach Ian Foster and captain and loose forward Sam Cane are under severe pressure ahead of a Rugby Championship clash with arch foes South Africa on Saturday after four losses in five Tests.

Speculation is rife that defeats by the Springboks in Mbombela on Saturday and in Johannesburg on 13 August would lead to Foster being sacked and Cane surrendering the captaincy.

Here, AFP Sport covers the opinions of the embattled pair, officials, former Test stars and an All Blacks supporter:

Foster

"I'm strong, I'm resilient. I believe I have a good feel with the players, I'm strategic and I'm also accountable."

- Foster speaking at a press conference before travelling to South Africa

"There is a huge amount of work to do. Our focus now is to work with Ian and his team to understand thoroughly what is needed to improve performances."

- New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson

"Have they (All Blacks) the right head coach? We were outcoached without question (in home series against Ireland)."

- Former New Zealand captain and hooker Sean Fitzpatrick

"A coaching change must now be considered, at the very least. Ian Foster's hold on his job must be tenuous at best."

- Senior New Zealand commentator Marc Hinton

"Some people need to swallow their pride and say this appointment (Foster) was a huge mistake. Make the change, make it quickly and start preparing properly for (the World Cup) next year."

- An All Blacks supporter on official fan page

"If he (Foster) lost both (matches against South Africa), it would be really hard, really difficult (to keep his job)."

- TV analyst and former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson

"I felt he (Foster) needed a day or so to work out what he wanted to say and not just be a punching bag for the media who,